Footage from La Canada-Salesian incident
La Canada player has foreign substance placed on face
La Canada High released video and a photo on Thursday from its Sept. 4 football game against Los Angeles Salesian in which school officials allege a Salesian player stuck his hand under the face mask of La Canada’s Angel Salazar at the conclusion of a tackle, leaving a heat-rub substance similar to IcyHot on Salazar’s face.
A photo shows Salazar having a white substance washed away from his face on the sideline.
Athletic Director Kristina Kalb said La Canada has received no apology from Salesian and no indication that any action was taken against any player.
Salesian Principal Alex Chacon said, “My only comment is we take the allegation very seriously. We investigated the matter and submitted our findings to the CIF.”
The Salesian player involved in the incident was allowed to play in the Mustangs’ game last week against El Cajon Christian.
La Canada’s trainer, Teena Vasquez, worked to remove the substance from Salazar. The incident occurred in the third quarter of a 27-0 Salesian victory. The game was briefly halted as La Canada sought to alert officials.
“She literally flushed his face,” Kalb said.
Salazar was later taken to Urgent Care as a precaution after the game, his mother, Leslie Bess, said. He played last week against Glendale.
Bess said Thursday she has spoken with law enforcement about filing a criminal complaint.
The CIF Southern Section has said it has no authority to intercede in the matter because no ejection took place.
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