UNIONDALE, N.Y. (1010 WINS) — A Long Island dad accused of smacking an 11-year-old girl who collided with a player on his daughter’s team during a soccer game in Uniondale last month has been charged with assault, authorities said.
Michael Stallone, 43, was arrested at a Sept. 28 Long Island Soccer Club match at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and charged with third-degree assault, endangering the welfare of a minor and drug possession, the criminal complaint shows.
“This whole thing is a misunderstanding about what was going on here,” Stallone's defense attorney Marc Gann told Newsday. “There was no assault here, nor was it Mr. Stallone's intention to get involved with or potentially hurt any child. He was coming to the aid of a child who was knocked to the ground.”
During the game, two girls collided, causing one to fall to the ground, knocked temporarily unconscious. Court papers claim that Stallone then used an open hand and elbow to smack the 11-year-old girl who caused the crash.
Gann said Stallone jumped to action to aid the injured girl, and may have “nudged” the other child “out of the way” in an effort to get to the unconscious player.
Nassau County Police found an unmarked pill in Stallone’s pocket, which Gann said was prescribed to the landscaper for a work injury, and he took it “as needed.”
Stallone pleaded not guilty to the charges leveled against him.
“Following the incident, LISC conducted an investigation, which resulted in the parent, who was involved in the incident, being notified that he would be suspended indefinitely from all program activities, including attendance at future matches,” the Long Island Soccer Club said in a statement to Newsday.