Coach and referee brawl at Massachusetts girls flag football game

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 16:19 · Archive

A referee and coach from the Massachusetts Outlaws traded blows during a girls' flag football tournament in Revere on Saturday, with parents intervening to separate them. The incident occurred at Harry Della Russo Stadium during the Ghost Town Showdown tournament, which included girls' divisions starting at six and under.

The fight broke out after the coach grew frustrated with several officiating decisions. According to the Outlaws team, the coach 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 coach shouted in referee Jeff Etienne's face about the call before Etienne pushed him, according to witnesses. The situation then escalated into a physical altercation.

Parents and other spectators had to pull the two men apart. One grandparent told reporters: 'I was outraged. I was totally outraged.' Etienne, who has officiated flag football games for 20 years, said he took responsibility for his response. 'That's what I should have done,' he said of walking away. 'This sort of situation should never happen in youth sports.'

How it is being reported

• Shocking fight breaks out between coach and referee at kids' flag football game as 'outraged' parents step inParents were left 'outraged' when an argument between a referee and a coach from a Massachusetts team turned physical with the pair exchanging blows in front of the children.Daily Mail Sport · 12 Oct, 15:58
• Massachusetts girls flag football game descends into chaos as coach and referee brawl in front of kidsA Massachusetts football referee and coach traded blows on the field during a girls tournament -- and "outraged" parents were forced to keep the brawlers apart.New York Post · 12 Oct, 10:37

In this story: Jeff Etienne · Massachusetts Outlaws · Revere · Harry Della Russo Stadium

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