High school football games in Sudbury have been rescheduled, with some even postponed. Evening games have been changed to afternoon ones. The move comes after a recent incident where security guards were attacked and injured after responding to an unconscious youth and a disturbance near a football game. The football field at the James Jerome Sports Complex sat empty last week. The first afternoon high school football game Oct. 9 was postponed for unknown reasons. In a statement, the Rainbow District School Board confirms the football schedule has been updated. Late games have been eliminated. This new schedule applies to teams from the area school boards that have Junior and Senior Boys Football. Sudbury police told CTV News a youth has been arrested in connection with security guards being attacked near an evening game of football Oct. 2. The statement from the Rainbow board said the problems stem from outsiders at the games. “The conduct of the players, coaches and fans was exemplary,” the statement said. “Unfortunately, there were large gatherings outside of the playing and viewing areas where there was inappropriate behaviour. Late games were eliminated to mitigate any further opportunities for inappropriate behaviour, with safety and well-being first and foremost.” The Sudbury Catholic District School Board said in a statement to CTV News that game times were changed to ensure everyone’s safety. “Out of an abundance of caution regarding safety and security during evening events, the decision was made to reschedule home football games to the afternoon,” the statement said. “Ongoing concerns about inappropriate behaviour at night games, along with specific incidents this season, played a significant role in this determination.” The mother of a 13-year-old, who did not want to appear on camera, said her son was chased by a large group of young people on Sept. 17 when he was a spectator at a football game. Threats were made, the mother said, and he was grabbed but was able to break free. One youth who was there and called police has since been threatened through a text -- including an emoji of a gun. The mother said the incident has been reported to police.
