Altercation in the stands

[James]

I've never seen anything like this.
There are some conflicting reports on the new pages, but it looks like the loosing team of a semifinals (18-22 year old players - I guess semi-pro) was being heckled and decided to take it to the fans.
The main attack was on father of a player from the other team, who one report said had a severe concussion. Amazingly in Canada it seems that if nobody instigates charges the fight will not be investigated by police.

Video:
http://www.sportsgrid.com/media/football-team-brawls-with-fans-video/

Reports:
http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/268850--football-brawl-sent-player-s-father-to-er

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/268240--not-investigating-football-donnybrook-police

[JugglingReferee]

This game was a mere 45 minutes from me.  And I know the entire crew on the game.  Local news covered the story the very same night.

[AlUpstateNY]

A bunch of these "players" need to do HARD jail time.  This is insane.

[T.C. Welton]

In the states they would be wearing more numbers for their booking photos.

[McRef77]

In the states they would be wearing more numbers for their booking photos.

Now that made me laugh!

[TxSkyBolt]

and just what in the hell is an official doing up in the stands?

[Etref]

and just what in the hell is an official doing up in the stands?

My thoughts exactly. When it gets that bad, I am headed for the locker room.

[InsideTheStripes]

and just what in the hell is an official doing up in the stands?

I'd have been in the stands.  It's not a tough guy thing, I just think it was the "right" thing to do after the situation went on for a while, fizzled, and then kicked up again for no reason.  I think players, even in quasi-heated situations, respond to officials in ways they don't respond to other 'neutral' parties in a case like this.  Simply usher them back to the field so the appropriate parties can tend to the injured.

Would it have been better if police were there to deal with the situation?  Yes. 

Doesn't appear they were, though. 

[Welpe]

Two things:

This was semi pro so these are not kids.

I am not a cop. If I'm not going to jump in the middle of a brawl on the field, there is no possible way I am going into the stands to break up a brawl.

I can understand providing medical aid in this situation.

[Etref]

Considering the game wasn't over, it's tough to leave.

No believe me that game was over. They may not have known it at the time, but had I been one of the officials it was over.

[110]

It's junior ball - a level below college and not in any way "semi-pro." In Canada, it's considered a tune-up for later play in CIS (university) or NCAA ball (a few kids earn spots on Div 2/div 3 schools from junior.) It is the latter that's important, because if any of the players were re-imbursed, not a single one would qualify for scholarship opportunities, due to the NCAA rules on such things.

[Welpe]

Thanks for the clarification but these are still adults either way.

[VALJ]

Considering the game wasn't over, it's tough to leave.

No believe me that game was over. They may not have known it at the time, but had I been one of the officials it was over.

Rick said it better than I would have thought to.