Violent Fight At Soccer Game Breaks Out In South OC

IRVINE, CA — Authorities are investigating a brawl that broke out over the weekend between two soccer teams that led to spectators, parents and family members coming onto the field and joining the melee.

The fight happened at Great Park in Irvine on Saturday night following a game between Club Garrafones for South Los Angeles and Irvine Zeta FC II — both of which are part of the professional development United Premier Soccer League.

The brawl was captured on video and shows two teams and others in a violent conflict that moved back and forth across the field, KTLA reported. The video showed several people taking blows to the face, and one person being ganged up on and kicked while they were down.

Head Coach of Irvine Zeta Bryan Wallace told KTLA that he believed his lower-ranked team's upset victory over the undefeated Club Garrafones is what led to the fight.

“We won the game. They have not lost all season,” Irvine Zeta FC II Head Coach Bryan Wallace told KTLA’s Mary Beth McDade. “I think it ignited a little bit of emotions, a lot of emotions. I shouldn’t say a little bit. Some words were shared between our players and their players that probably shouldn’t have been said and while one of my players was having a discussion with one of their players, another player came and punched him in the face.”

At some point during the fight, police were called to the soccer field. Irvine police officers assisted with those who were injured and started an investigation, according to authorities.

United Premier Soccer League, which includes 400 clubs, launched an investigation into the fight and by late Monday had kicked Club Garrafones out of the league, the Los Angeles Times reported.