Ex-congressman accused of attacking youth soccer coach in neck brace; police investigating

Ex-congressman accused in youth soccer scuffle

JACKSON, Miss. — Police are investigating a fight between a former Mississippi congressman and a youth-league soccer coach after a weekend game.

Madison Police Sgt. Robert Sanders says Chip Pickering, a Republican who served 12 years in the U.S. House, was accused of attacking coach Chris Hester on Sunday. Sanders says Pickering also filed an affidavit accusing Hester of hitting him.

Hester, who claims he was wearing a neck brace at the time, says Pickering yelled at him as he was leaving. Hester says that Pickering pulled him from his vehicle, and that spectators had to separate the two.

Hester coaches the team that played Pickering’s son’s team.

Calls to Pickering’s lobbying office were not immediately returned Monday.

Both men could be charged with misdemeanor simple assault.