Youth football coach charged after alleged assault of child at MetLife Stadium
Police said Sherif Saad, 34, allegedly struck the child near the stadium entrance Friday as he was leaving the property.
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A Coram man who coaches a Suffolk County youth football team is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting a child outside MetLife Stadium, according to New Jersey State Police.
Police said Sherif Saad, 34, allegedly struck the child near the stadium entrance Friday as he was leaving the property.
“There’s no excuse for that. It’s a child,” said Lisa McKenna, of Wading River. “He might have something going on in his personal life, but that’s like anger issues, and he might need to seek counseling.”
Authorities said Saad turned himself in to New Jersey State Police on Monday.
News 12 has learned Saad is a coach with Longwood Youth Football in Suffolk County. The organization’s commissioner released a brief statement on the matter, saying that the investigation is ongoing and they had no further comment.
News 12 visited the Coram address listed for Saad. A person at the home declined to comment.
“I don’t want you on my property, OK?” the person said. “No comment, and just please get off my property.”
A neighbor who declined to appear on camera said he sees the family from time to time and described them as nice, adding that he found the allegations difficult to believe.
“There’s no reason to hit kids or anything, especially when you’re a coach or something like that,” said Brian Feeney, of Sound Beach. “You should have discipline. That’s one of the things you should be teaching the kids when you’re a coach.”
Saad is charged with endangering the welfare of a child, as well as child cruelty and neglect-related offenses, police said.
Authorities have not identified the child involved or released the child’s age.
