A Massachusetts football referee and a coach exchanged punches during a girls’ youth tournament, leaving shocked parents to intervene and separate the pair.
Jeff Etienne, who has officiated flag football for two decades, became involved in the confrontation with a coach from the Massachusetts Outlaws during Saturday’s game in Revere, WCVB reported. The dispute reportedly began over a call.
The coach, whose name has not been released, was upset about several decisions and challenged a ruling involving blitzes. According to the team, the call initially favored the Outlaws before shifting to the opposing side during the same play.
Witnesses told WCVB that the coach shouted at Etienne from close range before the referee pushed him.
“The situation unfortunately escalated quickly and got physical,” the team said. “The game was stopped at that point.”
Parents stepped in to keep Etienne and the coach apart. At one point, several horrified adults pinned the Outlaws coach to 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 altercation took place in front of girls competing in the Ghost Town Showdown tournament at Harry Della Russo Stadium, a Revere venue also known as “The Boneyard.”
The event featured girls’ divisions for players as young as 6 and under.
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It was not immediately clear whether Etienne or the coach sustained injuries in the fight.
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 confrontation, the referee and coach eventually apologized to each other as tensions began to ease.
Fights at youth football games are far from unheard of. In late August, coaches from two rival Pennsylvania programs were filmed brawling, resulting in criminal charges against three people.
Carlynton coach DeQuay Canton was charged with a third-degree misdemeanor and was scheduled to appear for arraignment on Nov. 25, according to CBS.
Joseph Kubiak and Frank McGrath, who were part of the Keystone Oaks coaching staff, received summary citations for disorderly conduct.