Ex-New Milford Assistant Coach Accused Of Pushing Player Issues Statement

NEW MILFORD, CT — An assistant coach accused of pushing a 7-year-old to the ground during a football game has issued a statement saying he would never harm a child.

Daniel Joseph Fazio, 38, of New Milford, was arrested Sunday and is charged with second-degree breach of peace, disorderly conduct, and risk of injury to a child.

The statement from Fazio, issued through a publicist on Wednesday, states:

"We have chosen to remain silent until now in order to allow the proper legal process to unfold. However, given the recent one sided and inaccurate portrayal of events in the media and on social platforms, we feel it is important to clarify that the narrative presented to the public is both skewed and fabricated.

We are confident that the facts will come to light in court and that these charges will ultimately be dismissed. As long standing members of this community, as professionals and as a family, we would never harm a child.

It is disheartening that in today’s environment individuals can be deemed guilty before having the opportunity to share their side of the story. We intend to vigorously fight these allegations and look forward to our day in court.

In the meantime, we respectfully ask that our family’s privacy be honored, that false narratives cease, and that the public keep in mind there are always two sides to every story - our side will be fully heard in court."

Fazio is scheduled to be arraigned in Superior Court in Torrington on Oct. 2.

The charges stem from an incident during a Sept. 21 game between the New Milford Bulls and the Water-Oak Youth Football Team at New Milford High School, according to police.

Police said there was a disturbance between two assistant coaches after Fazio, who was with the New Milford Bulls, pushed a player for the Water-Oak team to the ground. Police said no one was injured.

Fazio is no longer an assistant coach for the New Milford Bulls, according to the organization, which has posted about the incident on its Facebook page.

In a second post on Sept. 22, the organization wrote that “in no way was the child (on the Water-Oak) team the aggressor in that situation; he was the victim.”

“There is never an acceptable reason to resort to physical discipline with a child. Period,” the post states.

Read more:
Assistant Coach Arrested After 7-Year-Old Player Pushed To Ground In New Milford: Police