AN investigation has been launched after an adult allegedly headbutted a 15-year-old boy as trouble flared at the end of a children’s football match in York.

North Yorkshire Police and the Football Association (FA) are investigating reports of violence at the Wigginton Grasshoppers U15 and Tockwith Juniors U15 match on Sunday afternoon.

When an altercation took place between two of the players, an adult allegedly became involved and headbutted a teenage player.

Two men are then said to have argued and one of the men is alleged to have punched the other following the match, on pitches at Wigginton Playing Fields, off Mill Lane.

A police spokesman confirmed it was investigating allegations of a 15-year-old being headbutted and a man being punched.

Tom Radigan, the chief executive of North Riding County Football Association, said he had received a report from the match referee and the matters were being considered with a view to raising charges.

He said: “It’s something the game does not need at that level. We are aware that throughout the game there was not too much of a problem – this has happened after the game has finished.

“Incidents like this happen from time to time; the association has issued charges in respect to this type of offence before.”

A witness said the match had gone without a hitch until the final whistle, when an argument started between two of the young players and violence then erupted.

Mr Radigan said the FA had the power to raise a disciplinary charge against an individual or club involved. He said it would investigate whether the clubs failed to control players, spectators or officials.

Penalties given in such situations can include a fine for the club, suspension of a player or a touchline ban for an official.

Mike Corbett, chairman of Tockwith Juniors, said: “I understand the referee has given a report to the FA. The FA will be investigating and I’m sure the police will be as well, and until the conclusions of those we have nothing more to add.

“Depending on the outcome of that the club will have its own investigation, but we don’t want to pre-empt anything.”

A spokesman for the Wigginton Grasshoppers said: “From our point of view, we don’t want to say anything until we have heard back from the FA.”

No arrests have been made, police said yesterday.