It escalated, with punches being thrown and Lee\u2019s mother being struck in the mouth and suffering a split lip.<\/p>\n
Lee said her mother was \u201creally shaken up\u201d, with the incident also triggering a pre-existing heart condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s quite little, only five foot and a bit, your typical grey-haired lady,\u201d Lee told 1 News. <\/p>\n
\u201cI couldn\u2019t believe she ended up being the one that got hit.\u201d<\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n Upon learning his grandmother had been assaulted, Lee\u2019s son, a player for Albany United, was reportedly \u201cquite upset\u201d.<\/p>\n The team\u2019s coach subsequently refused to continue the match, which was officially stopped around the 70-minute mark.<\/p>\n Northern Region Football (NRF), the body that organises the competition, confirmed to the Herald a disciplinary investigation is under way.<\/p>\n It is also understood police were called to the game.<\/p>\n \u201cNRF was shocked to get reports of a spectator assault,\u201d NRF communications manager Richard Irvine said.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone should be safe at a community football match.\u201d <\/p>\n He said the match was abandoned and the \u201cincident now is under police and NRF Disciplinary Committee investigation\u201d.<\/p>\n Lee told 1 News Kiwis love their sport but it shouldn\u2019t become violent.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you can\u2019t manage your emotions, do everyone a favour and don\u2019t turn up.\u201d<\/p>\n