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Tot's Death Spurs Soccer Goal Recall

Toddler strangled after head became trapped in mesh

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2008 12:26 PM CDT

(Newser) – Some 190,000 fold-up soccer goals are being recalled after the strangulation death of a Texas toddler, NPR reports. Distributor Regent Sports will replace all MacGregor and Mitre brand nets with a 5-inch grid sent in by customers. The 21-month-old child died last year when his head became entangled in the mesh as he climbed through the back of the net. The company has received other reports of children becoming trapped.

The goals, made in China, have been sold at outlets including Ace Hardware and Wal-Mart since 2002. A former director of Consumer Product Safety Commission slammed retailers for continuing to sell the toy for months after learning of its danger to children. The nets sell for as much as $45. The cost of making them safer, with a smaller grid, is estimated to be an extra 20 cents.

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A brand of foldable soccer net dangerous to small children is being recalled. (Shutter Stock)

Manufacturers and retailers have been sharply criticized for selling a brand of soccer goals after becoming aware of its danger to children. (Shutter Stock)

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The opening that these nylon mesh nets have is simply too big. There needs to be a 4-inch space, but there's a 5-inch space. - Scott Wolfson of the Consumer Product Safety Commission

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Tot's Death Spurs Soccer Goal Recall