A Richmond soccer coach who was banned from the field amid assault accusations has had the charges against him stayed.
Roberto Sciascia, who was a coach at Richmond FC, will now be free of any criminal convictions after his case was heard at Richmond Provincial Court on Tuesday.
Although he didn’t appear at court, it’s understood Sciascia has undertaken alternative rehabilitation “measures,” according to Crown spokesman Neil McKenzie, in order for the case to be handled outside of the judicial system.
McKenzie wouldn’t say what those measures were in the case of Sciascia. However, apologies to the complainants, and anger management counselling are possible remedies.
The veteran coach, who’s won many titles while working with local youth teams and was also Richmond FC’s technical director, had been accused by two young players and their families of assaults on the soccer field in Richmond.
One of the allegations surrounded Sciascia placing his hands around the neck of a 12-year-old player during a 2014 practice session to demonstrate how to metaphorically “choke” the opposition’s defence.
When the case found its way to the court system last April, Sciascia, who once played in a major European professional soccer final, was suspended from coaching duties by BC Soccer and Richmond FC.
Richmond News’ calls to Sciascia and to his lawyer were not returned by Thursday.
The News asked BC Soccer’s executive director, Jason Elligott, if the provincial body is now able to lift Sciascia’s suspension.
In an email reply on behalf of Elligott, Peter Lonergan, BC Soccer’s marketing and communications officer, said the organization was aware from media reports that Sciascia’s charges have been stayed.
However, “as it relates to soccer, Mr. Sciascia is currently under suspension from all soccer-related activity,” added Lonergan.“The requirements to review the suspension have been made available, as per BC Soccer Rule 10 and the discipline process. At this time, BC Soccer will make no further comments.”
The News asked for clarification on who the “requirements to review the suspension” were made available to and what the requirements were under BC Soccer’s “Rule 10,” which was not available on the body’s website. BC Soccer had not replied by press time.
Asked twice by the News if Richmond FC would consider re-hiring Sciascia if and when BC Soccer lifts its suspension, club chair David Weber said in an email that he was “…just glad for everyone involved that the matter has been resolved.”
**Alternative measures, according to the Justice Education Society of BC:
If you are charged with a crime and you admit that you committed the crime, you may be able to deal with the charges without having to plead guilty or go to trial. You may be eligible for alternative measures (also known as "diversion"), which is a
program of community supervision by a probation office. Crown counsel may agree to diversion if: the crime was not serious; you have no criminal record (or only a very minor record from a long time ago); you committed the offence, admit guilt, and take responsibility for your actions, and you are remorseful and willing to take steps so that you do not return to the court with new charges.
