Indoor Football League spirals out of control as Pirates players leap into stands to confront fans
Indoor Football League spirals out of control as Massachusetts Pirates players leap into the stands to confront fans
- Violence broke out in the fourth quarter of Massachusetts’ defeat in Arizona
- Leon O’Neal Jr. leaped into the stands and was followed by several team-mates
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
The Indoor Football League descended into chaos on Sunday after several Massachusetts Pirates players leapt into the stands and sparked a mass brawl.
The violence erupted in the final moments of the Pirates’ clash with the Arizona Rattlers at Footprint Center in Phoenix.
With 32.7 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, the Pirates trailed 52-43, when defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr. leaped into the crowed to confront a fan.
That sparked a furious reaction from the crowd before a number of other players then followed O’Neal Jr over the hoardings.
Team and security staff struggled to keep the peace as punches were thrown, shoving matches broke out and verbal abuse rained down.
Massachusetts Pirates player Leon O’Neal Jr. leaped into the crowed to confront a fan
A number of other players then followed O’Neal Jr over the hoardings and a melee ensued
WILD scene at end of Rattlers game. 5 Massachusetts players ejected with 32 seconds left. Players going into the stands… If a fan said something — they need to be held accountable, but you can’t charge the crowd in full pads. A kid in the front row looks to be crying?! pic.twitter.com/yqtjRKIjjn
— Cameron Cox (@CamCox12) July 3, 2023
Five players and at least one supporter were ejected following the melee, which saw young fans cowering in their seats and left one boy in tears.
Boos rang around the arena until referees confirmed that five players – O’Neal Jr, Darren Carrington II, Navaughn Donaldson, Chris Ingram and Chucky Williams – had been ejected.
The trouble started as O’Neal Jr was walking down the field with staff, near the sidelines. The player stopped and looked into the crowd, before freeing himself and hopping into the crowd.
He was confronted by a man and a woman, while a young boy sat in the firing line.
A supporter is led away by security staff after the brawl which saw several players ejected
The Indoor Football League announced that O’Neal Jr., teammates Ingram and Williams and Pirates coach Patrick Pass have been suspended indefinitely.
‘Under zero circumstance can you ever go beyond the wall and into the stands,’ Indoor Football League commissioner Todd Tryon said in a statement.
‘This is a one-time incident that does not reflect what the IFL stands for. We are a family friendly league that offers great sports entertainment, and we will continue to build on that moving forward.
‘What was a very exciting game was marred by the actions of a few. These actions will never be tolerated and are being fully dealt with.’
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