Man, 20, is charged over ‘mass stabbing brawl’ after a rugby league match that left a teenage player and two spectators fighting for their lives
- Police charged a man, 20, over the alleged brawl at North Parramatta on Sunday
- Another man remains under police guard in hospital following the alleged fight
- A 19-year-old player and two spectators, aged 16 and 22, remain in hospital
- Police were told several men fled the scene in a car prompting a massive search
- The Public Order and Riot Squad then raided a home at Cambridge Park at 2pm
A young man has been charged over an alleged stabbing brawl that left three people seriously injured after an under-20s rugby league match in Sydney’s west.
Hundreds of onlookers watched on as spectators and players clashed in the car park at Old Saleyards Reserve in North Parramatta at 11.20am on Sunday.
Several men fled the scene while a player, 19, and spectator, 22, were airlifted to hospital in critical condition with stab wounds to their neck and torso.
Another spectator, 16, was also seriously injured and taken to Westmead Hospital.
Riot squad officers stormed a home in Cambridge Park just before 2pm on Sunday and arrested a 19-year-old man over the alleged attack, taking him to Nepean Hospital for treatment to a hand laceration under police guard.
Another man, 20, was arrested at Penrith Police Station just before 8pm and charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other.
He was refused bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court on Monday.
Two men are in a critical condition in hospital after an alleged stabbing attack in North Parramatta in Sydney’s west on Sunday. Aerial photo of scene pictured
Pictured: The reserve’s running track. ‘Three-five young blokes have just been stabbed. Sad day for rugby league in west Syd,’ one witness claimed.
A 19-year-old player and two spectators, aged 16 and 22, remain in Westmead Hospital undergoing treatment for various injuries
The alleged stabbing attack followed an under-20s game between Penrith Brothers and Wentworthville.
Internal NRL emails reportedly state the brawl allegedly happened in a car park.
A witness also claimed moments after the game had ended players allegedly ran to their cars and sparked the wild brawl.
‘The under 20’s game between brothers and wenty has just resulted in players running to their cars after the game and grabbing out knives,’ the witness alleged.
‘Three-five young blokes have just been stabbed. Sad day for rugby league in west Syd. Dads, start teaching your boys life ain’t a video game.’
Authorities were told several men fled the scene in a Toyota Aurion and a large-scale search involving the police chopper was launched
Police said they were called to Old Saleyards Reserve (pictured) on Gladstone Street, North Parramatta in western Sydney. A match between Penrith Brothers and Wentworthville had just concluded
NSW Ambulance’s Duty Operations Manager Nathan Sheraton called the scene ‘brutal’.
‘Wounds like this can cause an extensive amount of damage and often we can see the extent of damage done – so it is very concerning whenever we are called to jobs like this,’ he said.
‘Our paramedics did an exceptional job in providing life-saving treatment for the patients.’
‘Unfortunately we have two men who are in a critical condition and will continue to undergo treatment in hospital.’
The New South Wales Rugby League is investigating and it has not been confirmed if those involved were players or fans.
A NSWRL spokeswoman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the postponement of a round four Sydney Shield Match scheduled for 3pm on Sunday between the Belrose Eagles and the Wentworth Mapies was related to the alleged stabbing.
Both Brothers Penrith Junior Rugby League Club and Wentworthville United Junior Rugby League Football Club declined to comment.
Police inquiries are continuing.