Jewish Coach Ejected. Man Making Antisemitic Slur Allowed To Stay. League Issues Statement.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
WELLINGTON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The apparent victim of an Antisemitic slur was ejected from a flag football game in Wellington’s Pierson Park on Saturday after he complained about the behavior of the man making the slur. Michael Servetnick who lives in West Boca Raton is a volunteer coach with the “Western Communities Football League” in Wellington — helping teens play flag football. Servetnick says he is appalled that the league seems to be condoning antisemitism.
“I hear a man from the other side shout ‘go eat a bagel!” said Servetnick. “I said what? He then shouts ‘shut up you bagel eating Jew!”
Multiple people speaking with BocaNewsNow.com heard the comment and say Servetnick was right to immediately investigate who made the slur. But as Severtnick approached the bleachers to identify the man, an official with the league kicked Servetnick out, then suspended him from his volunteer position for at least two weeks — denying him the opportunity to see his child play. Sources with knowledge of the situation say the man who made the slur was not suspended from league involvement until Tuesday — four days after the incident — and only after other witnesses complained.
“I’m Jewish. My antennas are up,” Severtnick said. “I have one 15-year-old son. I don’t care how big you are. I will always stick up for what I believe in. I expect people to be respectful. So when this happened, I realized that I needed to protect my son and other Jewish kids playing. I asked ‘who said it?’ I expected no one would say anything. This guy raises his hand and says it was me!“
But before Severtnick could even speak with the man, league leaders told Severtnick to leave. Western Communities Football League President Josh Zillmer didn’t explain why the apparent Antisemite wasn’t immediately ejected. Zillmer, instead, seemed to “victim blame,” saying that Severtnick had been heard cursing previously. His statement did not explain how a man using curse words makes calling him a “bagel eating Jew” acceptable.
“The incident involved a verbal altercation between Matthew Servetnick and a parent from an opposing team, during which both parties came onto the field, and both parties made verbal threats and slanders,” wrote Joshua Zillmer. “Mr. Servetnick and the opposing parent were both suspended for violating our league’s established Coaches’ Conduct and Parent Conduct policies. During the investigation of the incident, the board discovered that Mr. Servetnick had been cursing at children and using profanity in the team chat, as well as numerous other violations of our Coaches’ Conduct policy.”
Severtnick says his only cursing was in writing after the league had Jewish members who weren’t at the football game call him to tell him to stand down. His angry email to league leadership questioned that move. Here’s what he wrote:
”F—k you all. To have the Jewish people call me to protect your ass. That was a smart move. You’re all f-ing cowards.”
The Western Communities Football League did not explain why it took several days to sanction the man who made the Antisemitic slurs. BocaNewsNow.com identified league leadership as President Josh Zillmer, Vice President Marc Bongiovi, Second VP Hunter Mandrodt, Third VP Chris Wilson, Treasurer Tia Cearley, and Secretary Amy Gerlitz. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
“Appalling,” said another member of the league. “It’s hard to believe that Jews aren’t sticking up for Jews. What kind of message are these people sending to the kids in their league? That it’s okay to hate Jews? The league’s leaders couldn’t have handled this more poorly.”
”WCFL has diverse and inclusive leadership with one-third of our board members being Jewish,” wrote Zillmer. “Any suggestion that our league harbors or tolerates Antisemitism is not only unfounded but utterly contrary to the values and principles we uphold.”
Severtnick says he has retained an attorney but hopes leadership of the league will realize that Antisemitism is unacceptable. He seeks an apology, immediate reinstatement, and permanent sanctions against the man who admittedly called him a “bagel-eating Jew.”
The league lists “The Fellowship of Christian Athletes,” “At Your Service,” “Dick’s Sporting Goods,” “Investors Realty,’ “Paint Lux,” and “Zillmer Wealth” as sponsors.
It’s basically a redneck state, so this article should not be a surprise. Florida is nothing more than Mississippi with more oranges.
I am an bagel eating Irish Christian. I feel both were at fault. The person making the antisemitic words should have been kicked out of the game immediately, but the coach using such profanity to his players should also be kicked out. No one should use such disgusting language to young people. They don’t realize how stupid they look, because using profanity NEVER CHANGES ANYTHING YOU HAD OR HAVE TO SAY. It only makes you look too stupid to know how to express yourself and low class.
Patricia, you are completely mistaken. He did NOT use that language to children, but to the “league leadership.” Anyway, have you never been so hurt and so frustrated that you used a curse word?
When Coach Servetnick is reinstated he should walk onto the field eating a kosher bagel.
Very childish behavior. Sadly a bad example for the children hearing this hate speech. Adults should do better. Show the children how to act properly. Not how to misbehave. South Florida, never used to be like this years ago. My father coached and was an umpire, in our area for many years. Everything was always above board and dignified.
What a shame people stoop to such levels ,of hate, to a person out there as a coach to help other family’s kids, is treated poorly. Forget the fact that he is not getting paid. Everyone in the stands should be ashamed of himself and this person, and in front of their kids. They are just as ignorant as the man with the big mouth.
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