Man accused of sticking his finger up opponent's backside during over 45s football match

A player in an over 45s suburban football (soccer) match in Australia is on trial for indecent assault after allegedly sticking his finger up an opponent's backside. Eduardo Nerio, 49, a defensive player for Maroubra United, is accused of poking his finger inside the rear end of a player from the rival team during a "vigorous" match in 2010, a Sydney court was told. The court heard Nerio inserted his finger "3cm" inside the man's anus as they jostled for position with the victim - who cannot be named - during a throw-in at Coral Sea Park, Maroubra.

Nerio found himself in the Downing Centre District Court last week defending charges of indecent assault and common assault. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges in the jury trial. The court was played evidence from a police interview where the 49-year-old denied the claim. Nerio told police he only pulled the top of the man's shorts. The court heard the opponent complained to the referee, who did not see the incident, and then chased Nerio across the field.



Nerio's barrister, Robert Sutherland SC, accused the man of being "locked in a lie" and said he had made a "completely frivolous" complaint which he was now forced to follow through with. While giving evidence, the alleged victim told the court he had "been violated" and that "I wouldn't have chased him if he just pulled at my shorts. I know the difference between someone putting his finger up my arse and someone pulling at my shorts," he said.

"I chased him across the pitch and asked him, 'What the f ... do you think you're doing? That's assault', and he laughed in my face." The court heard the match, which Maroubra United lost 2-1, was a "heated matter". Nerio and his opponent had been engaged in a number of earlier disputes with the referee, the court heard. The man made a complaint to Maroubra police in the days after the match. In court, the referee and four players from each team were called to give evidence and the underpants and shorts worn by the alleged victim were tendered as evidence. The case continues.