RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. (KABC) — A former Santa Margarita Catholic High School football player details the alleged sexual assault he suffered last month at the hands of several teammates before practice.

The boy, now 16, is represented by Brian Williams of Greenberg Gross LLP.

“They turned off the lights, several teammates pinned him down and held him down, pinned him down and then he was assaulted,” Williams said. “My client, like the other day, went into that locker room to change, get ready for practice, and unfortunately he was ambushed by a large group of teammates.”

The victim and her mother filed a lawsuit against SMCHS and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange for negligence, negligent failure to warn, train or educate, and emotional distress.

The lawsuit claims the victim was subjected to a violent assault of a sexual nature.

“This is not normal,” Williams exclaimed. “No child on any team, man, woman or sport, should walk into a locker room and be ambushed and then pinned down and assaulted in their private parts or any part of their body. This should not happen.”

Following the attack, the victim allegedly attempted to seek help but was intercepted by another player.

The lawsuit claims the player told the victim, “This is football, you knew what you were signing up for.”

Williams said: “I don’t agree at all. This is not football. This is not any sport. This is not a random horse game. This is a tragic event that no child should be subjected to.”

The Diocese of Orange says they take the allegations seriously and are dedicated to fostering safe and supportive environments for all students.

“The school quickly took certain personnel actions as a precautionary measure,” the diocese said.

Williams said the school’s head football coach was placed on administrative leave.

The diocese said: “From the beginning, St. Margaret Catholic High School has fully cooperated with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which conducted a thorough investigation.”

OCSD Sergeant and Public Information Officer Frank Gonzalez said that on Sept. 24, Hoag Hospital in Irvine contacted the sheriff’s department regarding reports from a juvenile that he had been sexually assaulted by teammates at SMCHS.

Sergeant. González said 15 people related to the school were interviewed, including students.

He said his investigation has determined there are misdemeanor level elements of sexual assault or sexual battery.

The evidence was presented to the victim’s mother to see if she wanted to prosecute.

Sergeant. Gonzalez said he did not know and said he would handle the matter with the school.

If you decide to press charges, OCSD will provide its findings to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Williams said his client is struggling with the aftermath of the alleged assault and is seeking help for mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.

He does not believe this is an isolated incident and is urging other potential victims to come forward.