A physical education teacher in Tamil Nadu has been suspended after allegedly assaulting students of a football team following their performance in a tournament. The teacher, identified as Annamalai, was removed from his position after a video of the incident circulated widely on social media.

The incident took place at a government-aided school near Mettur in the Salem district. In the footage, Annamalai is seen kicking, slapping, and pulling the hair of students who were seated on the ground, dressed in their jerseys and football boots.

In the video, Annamalai can be heard berating the students, particularly targeting the goalkeeper, saying, “Are you a man or a woman? How can you let him score?” He also criticized another student for letting the ball get past him and questioned the team’s ability to perform under pressure. Annamalai further reprimanded the students for a lack of communication during the game, slapping one of them as he spoke.

While independent verification of this video could not be done, the district education department has confirmed the teacher’s suspension. A senior officer stated, “We have suspended the teacher and will conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.”