(KWCH) The Kansas State High School Activities Association continues to investigate an incident in which an official left the Newton vs Salina Central game earlier.
(Source: NFHS)
A new video of the game shows the moment when a fan entered the field before the referee left.
Bill Faflick, Executive Director of KSHSAA, said he saw this particular angle of the video. He said it would be presumptuous to assume that the fan walking towards the field is the reason the official left the game.
Faflick said the fan had nothing to do on the field and that he was immediately arrested by the school administration and asked to leave the game.
He said that in these situations, the correct protocol would be for officials to stop the game and meet with the building administrators to alert them of any issues that may interfere with the game.
State basketball tournaments will start next week and Faflick said he hopes fans, coaches, players and officials will all learn on Tuesday.
“We know that everyone has a role to play. Officials must judge the event, coaches must train their children, hold them accountable and help them improve. Our players are looking to play and they are playing to win and our fans need to be there to enjoy the contest, “said Faflick.
Faflick did not say whether the official who left the game early would affect the decision, but said KSHSAA continues to communicate with the crew that worked on the match.
As for the players and coaches who were kicked out, Faflick said there were conditions for their return to competition.
Athletes must take an online sportsmanship course. Once they are finished, KSHSAA is notified and they can return to matches unless the school or district decides on further consequences.
Coaches must complete a similar course on teaching and modeling behavior. They are allowed to participate in training, but cannot train any competitor.
Faflick said it’s the same for any KSHSAA sport.