A 19-year-old Edmonton man was yesterday convicted of aggravated assault for his part in the vicious swarming of a city soccer dad following a rowdy game last year.

Manpreet Grewal was found guilty of being one of several players who chased Dean Smith, 44, after a heated verbal confrontation at the end of a June 5, 2008, match and then punched and kicked him when he tripped and fell down.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Brian Burrows rejected a statement to police by Grewal in which he denied kicking Smith and accepted evidence implicating him in the group attack from a coach and referee at the game.

Burrows said the Crown had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Grewal was the player wearing an orange turban to whom Smith angrily directed a racial slur at after being taunted for his stature and called abusive names.

The judge also said the Crown had proven Grewal was among the players who chased after Smith when he ran from them and was one of the players attacking him.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a sentencing hearing was scheduled for Feb. 26.

Outside court, Smith spoke of the conviction and said he is still recovering from his severe injuries.

"I'm happy that there was some justice done in this case and I hope this sends a message to the young kids and young adults out there," said Smith.

At Grewal's Sept. 29 trial, Smith testified he got into a shouting match with several players on the Mill Woods Meadows under-18 squad and admitted he got "frustrated" and a "little angry" after being called "short" and a "white faggot."

Smith, whose son was playing on the opposing La Perle team, said he then said the following words to Grewal.

"I told him I was going to rip his f...ing do-rag off his head and shove it up his ass if he didn't shut up," said Smith.

Under cross-examination, Smith conceded he "possibly" knew that Grewal's patka -- a type of smaller turban used by Sikhs in sporting events -- was a religious headdress, but maintained he was not racially motivated.

The soccer dad testified he ran away after Grewal charged at him, but after tripping, says he was "surrounded" by a group of 10 to 12 youths who began kicking him.

Smith told court he suffered a broken nasal passage and five fractures on the right side of his face, which required the insertion of metal plates and plastic surgery, and said his jaw was wired shut for two months.

La Perle coach Randy Oleschuk and referee Graham Reid testified they were pretty sure Grewal was involved in kicking Smith, but didn't see the blows landing.

Although Grewal did not testify, he admitted in a statement to police that he had punched Smith, but said he then got scared and ran away and denied kicking him.

Four youths were also charged in the swarming attack, however their charges were later withdrawn.

TONY.BLAIS@SUNMEDIA.CA