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

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

“They cut the lights, several teammates grabbed him and held him down, restrained him and then he was assaulted,” Williams said. “My client, just 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 his mother filed suit against SMCHS and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Orange for negligence, failure to warn, instruct or educate and emotional distress.

The lawsuit states that the victim was subjected to a violent sexual assault.

“It’s not normal,” Williams exclaimed. “No kid on any team, male, female, any sport, should ever walk into a locker room and be ambushed and then held down and have their private parts or any part of their body assaulted. This should not happen.”

After the attack, the victim allegedly tried to call for help, but was intercepted by another player.

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

Williams said: “I absolutely disagree. This is not football. This is not any sport. This is not random horseplay. 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 promoting safe and supportive environments for all students.

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

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

The diocese said, “From the outset, Santa Margarita Catholic High School cooperated fully with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, which conducted a comprehensive investigation.”

OCSD Sergeant and Public Information Officer Frank Gonzalez said on Sept. 24 that the sheriff’s department was contacted by Hoag Hospital in Irvine about reports of a juvenile being sexually assaulted by teammates at SMCHS.

Sgt. Gonzalez said 15 people connected to the school, including students, were interviewed.

He said their investigation determined there were misdemeanor elements of sexual assault or sexual assault.

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

Sgt. Gonzalez said he did not know and stated that he would take up the matter with the school.

If they choose to file charges, OCSD will turn their findings over to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

Williams said his client is struggling with the aftermath of the alleged attack 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 any other possible victims to come forward.