Vaughan, Ont., man charged after allegedly uttering threats at youth soccer game

A Vaughan man has been charged with making a violent threat to a teenager during a girls' soccer game, causing the game to be abandoned at halftime.

Gianni Luciani, 53, has been charged with making a threat in connection with the June 20 incident at Concord Thornhill Regional Park, near Dufferin Street and Highway 407, York Regional Police said in a statement released Monday.

The incident occurred during a girls' under-13 soccer game and caused concern among spectators and officials. According to police, the suspect, who is the father of an opposing player, verbally threatened a teenager on the opposing team during the second half of the game.

In a video obtained by CTV, a voice can be heard from the sidelines yelling, "I'm going to fuck you!" after two players collided on the sidelines. Although the identity of the person making the threat is not clearly identified in the video, Kleinburg Nobleton Soccer Club (KNSC) coaches say the threat was directed at one of their players and was made by a parent of the opposing team, Glen Shields Juventus FC.

KNSC coaches say the young player was extremely upset and distressed after hearing the threat, and they decided to stop the game for the safety of the children.

“From that moment on, it was no longer about enjoying the game; it was about protecting the physical, mental and emotional well-being of a 12-year-old girl,” KNSC assistant coach Nikita Moriariti told CTV.

Juventus FC, in turn, denied the story, calling the claim “false and misleading.”

Police confirmed to CTV that the person threatened was a teenager, but did not specify his exact age.

"We do not tolerate any form of threats, intimidation or violence at public events, especially youth sports competitions," a statement from York Police said.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing and police are asking anyone with further information to contact York Police Department.