A New Jersey high school football team has cancelled its participation in the rest of the football season due to charges and investigations of bullying among players.
The decision for the Sayreville War Memorial High School football team to cancel the remaining eight games in its season was announced on Monday. Reports indicate that the school authorities conferred with the parents of the players before arriving at their conclusion.
The prosecutor's office of Middlesex County, where the New York high school is located, is investigating several allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation of younger players by their older colleagues.
"There was enough evidence that there were incidents of harassment, of intimidation and bullying that took place on a pervasive level, on a wide-scale level and at a level which the players knew, tolerated and generally accepted," Superintendent Richard Labbe is quoted telling reporters.
According to ABC, the parent of a younger child who was allegedly being bullied, threatened and harassed by older kids called the police last week.
"Based upon what has been substantiated to have occurred, we have cancelled the remainder of the football season," Labbe said.
Football is a big part of Sayreville. Therefore, local sources say many parents and players weren't pleased with the decision to forfeit the rest of the season.
The cancellation has implications for the New Jersey "school's freshman, Junior varsity and varsity teams," according ABC.
Sayreville is regarded one of the high schools with the best football team in the state. In the past four seasons, the team has won three state sectional championships. But its locker room has been plagued with controversy.
Last week, the high school team assistant coach Charlie Garcia left office following allegations that he was in possession of steroids. Reports indicate that Garcia is set to appear before a court on Oct, 10th, in a different case.
Parents of the New Jersey high school football team have expressed their disappointment at the decision. Some noted that their wards may lose their opportunities of winning sport scholarships due to the unfortunate decision.
New Jersey high school teams rarely cancel their participation in the football season as the sport is held dear to locals. Nonetheless, the decision of Sayreville administrators has been praised by many pundits.
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