The shocking moment an under-14s football match was called off after brawl breaks out between parents

This is the shocking moment an under-14s football match had to be called off after a fight broke out between two parents.

The game had to be called off at half-time after a brawl broke out between spectators who had been watching the match from behind a pitch-side fence.

A parent who witnessed the fight said Spartans FC Youth were 2-0 up against Edinburgh City Blacks when a brawl erupted between two men, Edinburgh Evening News reports.

‘They started kicking and punching each other’

He said: “Dozens of parents watching were shocked by the scenes which unfolded at half-time in the game.

“The match had been played in good spirit up to that point.

“But as the boys came off, a parent who’d been vociferous through the first half started shouting at another Edinburgh City parent, and threw a punch.

“They started kicking and punching each other in the street, in full view of the two groups of players, with other parents and coaches attempting to separate the two. It seemed like a parked car was damaged in the melee.

“With two or three of the Edinburgh City players visibly distressed, the referee had no choice but to call the game off at half-time.”

‘It’s the worst incident I’ve seen at a youth match’

The parent said it was the worst incident he had ever seen at a youth football game.

He said: “My son was shocked at what he’d seen. It’s the worst I’ve seen at a youth match, and has no place in the game. The guy who started it shouldn’t be allowed near a game again. The sad thing is, it’ll be his son who suffers.”

“The kids of these people must be horrified,” he added.

What one of the club’s said about the incident

No Spartans club members were involved in the fight.

A spokesperson said: “As a club we take a firm view of any antisocial and unacceptable behaviour at what is children’s football. We also hold our parents, players and coaches to our codes of conduct and highest standard of conduct at all times

“We can confirm that no one connected with Spartans was involved in the incident, aside from trying to help defuse the situation.

“We are shocked that families and children, from both teams had to witness such anti social and unacceptable behaviour at a youth football game. The game itself was played in a fantastic spirit, and understandably many of the players were upset at what they saw, meaning there was no option but to end the game.”

It is understood the incident has not been reported to police.

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