A football match descended into chaos when a brawl broke out as a defender unleashed a flurry of punches after taking issue with a 50/50 challenge – and the referee did nothing
A football match descended into chaos as punches were thrown when a violent brawl broke out on the pitch.
Brookings High School Bobcats and Rapid City Central Cobblers’ clash went viral on social media when a clash involving two players erupted into an all-out melee – causing outrage at the actions of one of the players, who repeatedly punched his opponent.
The game between the two schools, both in South Dakota in the United States, was approaching half-time when a Bobcats winger had got the better of a Cobblers defender in a 50/50 duel. The full-back took issue with the challenge, dashing across to his rival and shoving him to the ground.
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He then brutally kicked the winger before unleashing several punches as the referee came sprinting over, but just stood watching the fight unfold and didn’t try to prevent the assault. Players and coaches then tried to break up the pair.
Another Bobcats player could be seen rushing across to defend his team-mate and get some revenge on the player throwing the punch, as he interjected himself into the middle of the conflict.
Tensions were able to ease as coaches and the referee scrambled to get the game back under control.
A coach escorted the defender away from the pitch and he reportedly did not return to the match, which was suspended for 10 minutes before order resumed, according to Matt Kerney, a South Dakota preps reporter who posted video of the incident on X.
The video quickly went viral: “That kid in the white jersey should not ever play at his school again,” one user responded.
“Genuinely, ban that kid from playing,” a second fumed. As another added: “That was no real provocation. Ban him for life. Football is not for him…” A fourth said: “He should be jailed.”
Another fan posted: “Why has the referee just stood over him instead of breaking that up?” A sixth said: “Referee didn’t even interject, he just went there to watch them fight.”
Another fumed: “Gutless c*** let the lad land four [punches] before someone else had to step in! The ref should have his badge taken!”
The Bobcats were 2-0 up at the time of the brawl, with just under four minutes left in the first half.
And the score would remain until the full-time whistle. Neither school has commented on the scenes.