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A Massachusetts football referee and coach traded blows on the field during a girls’ tournament — and “outraged” parents were forced to keep the brawlers apart.
Jeff Etienne, who has officiated flag football games for 20 years, and the member of the Massachusetts Outlaws team scuffled during the game in Revere on Saturday after the coach was upset over a decision, WCVB reported.
The coach, who hasn’t been publicly named, was “frustrated with calls being made and was questioning a call about blitzes that were originally in our favor and then flipped to the other team’s favor within the course of one play,” the team said.
The coach yelled in Etienne’s face before the referee pushed him, witnesses told WCVB.
“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 kept apart. At one point, horrified parents pinned the Outlaws coach on the ground before leading him away.
“I was outraged. I was totally outraged,” one grandparent, who didn’t want to be identified, told WCVB.
The scuffle unfolded in front of girls taking part in the Ghost Town Showdown tournament, which was held at Harry Della Russo Stadium, known as “The Boneyard.”
The tournament was open to girls divisions starting at six and under.
It’s unclear if Etienne and the football coach suffered any injuries during their altercation.
Etienne was mindful of how his response led to tempers escalating.
“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.”
The official and coach even apologized to one another after tempers cooled somewhat.
Scuffles during kids’ football games are not uncommon. In late August, coaches from rival Pennsylvania teams were caught on camera brawling – and it led to three people being charged.
Carlynton coach DeQuay Canton, was charged with a third-degree misdemeanor and is due to appear in court for his arraignment on Nov. 25, according to CBS.
Joseph Kubiak and Frank McGrath – part of the Keystone Oaks coaching setup – was charged with a summary disorderly conduct citation.