NIU football player Thomas Klein, 21, might lose his football scholarship after being arrested for battery.

DeKalb Police reported the arrest Saturday night after Student Association Sen. Joe Annunzio said Klein “punched him in the face several times” over a traffic dispute.

NIU football coach Jerry Pettibone said proper action will be taken when he finds out final police results. He said Klein is a fourth-year NIU student and has a fifth year to complete. He said Klein attends NIU on a medical scholarship and did not play football as a result of injuries.

“If he is guilty, he might receive disciplinary action or the loss of his scholarship,” Pettibone said. The possible penalty will depend on the outcome of the situation. “Disciplinary action is determined on a case-by-case situation,” he said.

Klein said of the incident, Annunzio got out of his car and “swung the the first punch.” Klein said, “I tried to control him and settle him down, but I didn’t hit him.” He said the two of them wrestled a little but that was all.

Annunzio said the incident began after he turned into the University Plaza parking lot, 900 Crane Drive. He said, “I was driving westbound on Crane and was turning into the parking lot with my directional on.”

He said Klein, driving a blue Mercury, cut in front of him and he had to slam on his brakes. “I stopped and asked him what the problem was. I asked him if he was trying to cause an accident,” he said.

Annunzio said Klein seemed frustrated and grabbed his arm, then punched him several times. He said the incident stopped when his passenger, Student Association Sen. Tom Zur said, “I know who you are and I’m going to tell your coach.”

Annunzio said as of yesterday afternoon, neither he nor Zur have talked to Pettibone.

Annunzio said he and Zur went straight to the police station to file a complaint against Klein. “We wanted to let them (police) know the incident happened. I’m tired of students being (harassed) by athletes,” he said.

Pettibone said Klein called him after the incident to inform him of what happened. “He said he was going to file a complaint against the student (Annunzio),” Pettibone said.

Klein said he is not going to file any complaint against Annunzio.

Annunzio said he has pressed charges and is taking Klein to court. “I’ve seen other incidents similar to this occur,” he said. A court date has not been set.