NTFA rivalry talk on a Deloraine street led to a man from a buck's party bus trip assaulting a teenage boy, a court heard on Wednesday.
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Jake Christopher Price told the Launceston Magistrates Court that he pleaded guilty to common assault, but only for slapping the boy in the face.
Price, who represented himself, denied punching the boy to the mouth as police allege.
Prosecutor Luke Moore told the court that on January 10 about 12.30pm a bus pulled up in Deloraine near where the 16-year-old complainant was standing with his friends.
He said that a man from the bus, Price, talked to the boy, a stranger, about their local football teams.
Senior Sergeant Moore said Price became aggressive and slapped the boy across the face.
The prosecutor alleged that Price then threw about 10 punches at the boy and one struck the boy's mouth, cutting his lip.
According to a police interview, Price told officers that he and the youth talked about the Deloraine and Longford football teams.
Price said that he slapped the boy to the face but did not punch him, Senior Sergeant Moore said.
Magistrate Michael Brett ordered Price to reappear for a disputed facts hearing on May 5 in relation to the alleged punch and injury.
