A children’s Sunday League football game turned sour after parents of rival teams couldn’t control themselves.
The young players of Boldmere St Michael’s FC in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, were left dismayed after adults decided to air their grievances using their fists.
Coaches tried to intervene to calm the situation, but police intervention was needed after an on-pitch situation escalated between the adults yesterday shortly after 10am.
Footage shows adults throwing punches at each other in the seating area while screams are heard as more people pile on in the brawl. Coaches can be seen ushering young players away from the stand.
The Central Warwickshire Youth League game between the home team and Starlands Warriors was abandoned, MailOnline reports.
After a video of the altercation was posted on social media, users rushed to condemn those involved.
Jamie, who posted the video, hit out at the parents, saying they are ‘a disgrace’ before asking ‘what type of example would you be setting for your children.’
Another said: ‘Absolutely shocking and disgusting. The parents should be utterly ashamed.’
One called for the brawling parents to be banned from games.
The club said in a statement: ‘Today at Boldmere St Michael’s FC there was an incident involving two U10 teams.
‘Regrettably, this spilled into the stands and despite multiple Boldmere Coaches trying to calm the situation, police intervention was required.
‘Boldmere as a football club takes this situation very seriously and an internal disciplinary investigation has begun.
‘The club will independently investigate, as well as cooperate fully, with any FA or Police investigation.
‘This behaviour will not be tolerated.’
The police also said it will launch a ‘robust’ probe into the incident.
West Midlands Police said it was aware of footage circulating online showing the disorder, and asked anyone with information to contact the force via the live chat and quote log reference 1220 of 8 September.
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