Scott Morrison crash tackles young footballer in last minute blunder in 2022 federal election | News from Whyalla

A boy knocked down by Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a football match in Tasmania is in good spirits but says the incident ‘should have been a penalty’.

Mr Morrison took part in a training session with an under-8 football team in Devonport on Wednesday afternoon where he tripped and crashed into a young footballer, Luca Fauvette, during a match at Small scale.

In an interview with Today On Thursday morning, eight-year-old Luca said Mr Morrison called him after the incident and told him he was a ‘good sportsman’.

“I do not know what [my classmates] will think. They’re probably all shocked right now,” Luca said.

“It should have been a penalty,” he added, waving a red card for the camera.

Shortly after the incident, Mr Morrison joked that he hoped Luca had not been hospitalised.

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The moment was captured by TV cameras and photographers following her campaign, causing a stir on social media.

Mr Morrison stopped by Devonport Strikers Soccer Club to re-announce a $3.5million upgrade, which includes the demolition of the existing grandstand.

“When the stand comes down, I hear it needs a bit of bulldozing. So maybe I could help with that,” he said.

The Prime Minister was also a hit with young players, who harassed him as he walked around the Valley Road pitches.

A player shouted “ScoMo is the GOAT [greatest of all time]as Mr Morrison scored a penalty.

The Devonport Strikers posted a photo on Facebook of the Prime Minister crashing into Luca later on Wednesday evening, confirming Luca is doing well and looking forward ‘to being the star of the show at school tomorrow’.

“Our club’s values ​​are determination, effort and respect. We believe Luca showed great determination and effort to prevent the PM from scoring at all costs,” the post read.

Mr Morrison also posted the incident on his Facebook page and confirmed he had spoken to Luca and his mother.

“I spoke to Luca and his mum Ali tonight to check on him and he was in good shape,” the Prime Minister’s post said.

The Coalition campaign landed in Braddon on Wednesday, where Liberal MP Gavin Pearce holds a 3.9% margin.

Mr Morrison’s fringe blitz earlier on Wednesday included a visit to the seaside town of Torquay, just south of Geelong in Corangamite.

Labor member Libby Coker is battling to retain the seat by a narrow 1.1% margin, but the Coalition believes it is one of the seats he can turn blue.

The visit marked the third time the prime minister has campaigned in the key seat since December, and the third in the election campaign.

The Coalition used an offensive strategy this week to target Labor-held seats in the north of the country, including Blair in Queensland and Solomon and Lingiari in the Northern Territory.

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