A Massachusetts football referee and a coach exchanged blows during a girls’ youth tournament, leaving “outraged” parents to intervene and pull the two men apart.
Jeff Etienne, who has officiated flag football for 20 years, became involved in the altercation with a coach from the Massachusetts Outlaws during Saturday’s game in Revere, WCVB reported. The confrontation began after the coach objected to a ruling.
The coach has not been publicly identified. According to the team, he was upset about several calls and questioned a blitz ruling that had initially favored the Outlaws before being reversed in favor of the opposing team during the same play.
Witnesses told WCVB that the coach shouted in Etienne’s face before the referee pushed him.
“The situation unfortunately escalated quickly and got physical,” the team said. “The game was stopped at that point.”
Etienne and the coach had to be separated. At one point, shocked parents held the Outlaws coach on the ground before escorting him away from the field.
“I was outraged. I was totally outraged,” one grandparent, who asked not to be identified, told WCVB.
The fight took place in front of girls competing in the Ghost Town Showdown tournament at Harry Della Russo Stadium, which is also known as “The Boneyard.”
The event featured girls’ divisions beginning with players six and under.
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It was not immediately clear whether Etienne or the coach sustained injuries in the altercation.
Etienne acknowledged that his reaction helped fuel the confrontation.
“I do take responsibility,” he said. “Just like [the] many other times that I’ve had coaches yell at me, I’ve walked away from it.
“That’s what I should have done. This sort of situation should never happen in youth sports.
“It should never ever be that serious. We’re not playing for millions of dollars. We’re not playing in the NFL.”
After the anger subsided, the referee and the coach apologized to each other.
Fights at youth football games are not unusual. In late August, coaches from rival teams in Pennsylvania were filmed brawling, resulting in charges against three people.
Carlynton coach DeQuay Canton was charged with a third-degree misdemeanor and was scheduled to appear in court for arraignment on Nov. 25, according to CBS.
Joseph Kubiak and Frank McGrath, who were part of the Keystone Oaks coaching staff, received summary disorderly conduct citations.
