3 Maplewood soccer players get red cards, game stopped with Portland after strife with fans

Maplewood's high school soccer game at Portland on Thursday was suspended with 26 seconds left after Maplewood players and spectators got into an altercation in the 80th minute, according to an official report sent to the TSSAA.

Maplewood players and spectators had to be restrained by game officials, school administrators and a school resource officer on site. Officials decided to call the game in the final minute "due to potential safety concerns" the report said.

The incident began after a Portland player fouled a Maplewood player along the spectator sideline. Words were exchanged by both players before an official separated the two players, the report stated.

The report said the official sensed tension between Maplewood's players and fans and stopped the clock. He asked "numerous times" for the Portland administrator to address the situation and intervene with the spectators.

As the administrator and SRO made their way to the area, a Maplewood player shouted profanity toward the spectators and two other Maplewood players confronted spectators, making physical contact, according to the referee's report.

After the players were separated from the spectators, officials issued red cards to the two Maplewood players who made contact. Both coaches were instructed to walk their players to the respective benches to allow game officials to determine the next course of action.

A red card for unsportsmanlike conduct is a two-game ejection by TSSAA rules.

The report said that while players and coaches were walking toward their benches, a Maplewood player removed his shirt and ran across the field toward the spectators. He was eventually pulled away from the spectators by his teammates and he was issued a red card at which point the game was suspended.

Reach sports writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.