UPDATE: A shocking postgame brawl erupted Saturday night at a high school soccer match in Jersey City, NJ, where a photojournalist alleges he was assaulted by star forward Amadou Hann of St. Benedict’s Prep. The chaotic scene unfolded after a match against St. Peter’s Prep, and was captured on video, stirring urgent public interest.
The turmoil began shortly after the final whistle, as Hann charged toward opposing players following the handshake line, igniting a violent melee. Video footage shared by NJ Advanced Media shows Hann confronting players before being restrained by teammates, with punches thrown amidst the confusion.
However, the most alarming incident occurred off-screen. Photographer Tom Horak claims that Hann sprinted toward him, demanding he delete photos of the altercation before allegedly grabbing him by the throat. Although the video captures Hann fleeing the scene, the confrontation with Horak was not visible. Reports indicate that Horak sustained abrasions on his neck but declined medical attention at the scene.
In an exclusive statement to NJ Advanced Media, Horak recounted the incident:
“What he did is definitely not okay. It was a scary moment. He charged and he kind of grabbed me by the throat. My whole mindset was: Get out. Relax. Trying to calm down the situation.”
Authorities were not called to the scene, and Horak chose not to file charges. Meanwhile, the implications of this violent encounter have prompted immediate responses from both schools involved. A spokesperson for St. Benedict’s Prep, Larry Geraghty, confirmed the school is conducting an internal investigation to address the incident. “While we are still gathering all the facts, we take this matter extremely seriously and are treating it with the utmost priority and care,” Geraghty stated. The investigation will review eyewitness accounts, video footage, and statements from all parties involved.
The New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association is also monitoring the situation closely. Spokesperson Mike Cherenson emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, “We take these matters very seriously.”
Rich Hansen, the athletic director for St. Peter’s Prep, dismissed the altercation as “high school nonsense,” yet the incident raises significant concerns about player conduct and safety during school sports events.
This escalating situation highlights the urgent need for accountability in high school athletics. As investigations continue, both schools and the athletic association are urged to prioritize the safety of all participants and spectators at sporting events.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The implications of this event on the involved athletes and schools may have long-lasting repercussions within the community and beyond.
