Recently the Yokosuka Youth Sports soccer program completed its season. It ended with some controversy and issues. 

Boys 13-15 y/o group completed a tournament in Atsugi.  The start of the tournament was fraught with issues including incomplete teams representing Yokosuka.  Unfortunately, a prearranged solution by the Director of Youth Sports was dismantled before the start of the tournament.  All teams played well despite this minor issue.  That was not the problem. 

The problem lies in what Atsugi teams are taught how to play (dirty) and how their officials seem to not observe what happens on the field, pitch or court.  It is not limited to just soccer. 

A kid was punched in the face, close fisted in view of an official.  NO CALL.  The yoko kid had a bloody nose.  The gasps of aww from the parents and his teammates was drowned out by the applause, yes applause by Atsugi parents to this play. 

Several plays of tackling called against opposing teams issues by the officials.  Simlar plays by Atsugi players yielded no fouls.  Again, this bias is not limited to soccer. 

Girls 13-15 also had a tournament that weekend, BUT was played and officiated here in Yokosuka.  Wow, what a different standard.  It was called fairly against both teams on the pitch.  Again the Atsugi girls team, when faced with their first loss of the season and fear of losing the tournament resorted to very dirty play.  Their forward, after getting frustrated multiple times by a Yoko defensive back decided to take matters into her own hands, chased down the smaller defender and spiked her calf from behind, a blatant attempt to injure.  This thug from Atsugi didn't even disguise it by trying to tackle the ball which already moved forward.  The call?  Yellow card!. 

Again Bravo to our officials here in Yoko for calling a fair game.  Bravo to the Yoko coaches who taught our teams to play fair and honest.  They trusted the officials and that trust was not betrayed. 

Shame to the girls team that headed back to Atsugi and tried to pass off to their home crowd they had won the tournament (THEY DID NOT).  Shame to the Atsugi coaches.  Superior coaching does not include teaching primal aggression and dirty tactics.  Shame on Atsugi officials that keep calling an unfair game, again.   

Parents should know their kids may be at risk if playing an Atsugi team, especially if officiated in Atsugi.  Is this a new problem or an old one that refuses to get better?  Should we send a message to Atusgi parents, coaches, officials that their brand of play is not acceptable.  Yokota teams are equally talented but seem to play fairly.  Should we boycott Atsugi?

If Yoko parents are typical, someone must have gotten video of these plays. I've never seen a final tournament that someone wasn't filming. Contact the other parents, get some video, and show it to the sports authorities whoever they may be (keep a copy of the video for yourself lest it disappear).