Nine players receive suspensions in soccer brawl
Alternative content
Soccer Brawl Punishment
The Rhode Island Interscholastic League suspends nine players and sanctions coaches in a Nov. 8 soccer fight.
Related Links
Web Site: Rhode Island Interscholastic League
Published: November 17, 2009
Updated: November 17, 2009
PROVIDENCE—The Rhode Island Interscholastic League said Tuesday that it suspended nine players for their roles in a soccer brawl between two high schools.
The fight broke out Nov. 8 during a girls’ championship match at Rhode Island College between Woonsocket High School and Pawtucket’s Tolman High School. News cameras captured the brawl.
The suspensions range from two games to one year.
“The suspensions pertain to involvement in the athletic competition in the RIIL,“ the league said in a statement. “This action does not preclude the administration from both schools to take additional action.“
The RIIL also imposed sanctions on coaches from both teams.
Dr. Lourenco Garcia, the principal of Woonsocket High School said the punishment was fair.
“This is a wake-up call for the whole country,“ Garcia said.
Garcia said five of the students are from Woonsocket and that the school’s head coach was suspended for three games.
“It’s our goal as educators to make sure those kids get the proper message that violence, fighting is not the solution,“ Garcia said. “Parents, please, get on board, support the school because that’s the only way we’re going to fight against the violence.“
Garcia said the school has not yet decided whether to implement any disciplinary action beyond what the RIIL imposed.
Tolman High School’s principal told NBC 10, “We have nothing to say. The league said it all.“
The league said it wanted to send a clear message to all athletes that fighting and unsportsmanlike behavior will not be tolerated.
The fight broke out near the end of the game, and officials stopped play. Woonsocket won 5-0.
Another fight broke out in the bleachers during an awards ceremony.
Advertisement
Reader Reactions
Posted by mmarcia on November 17, 2009 at 1:54 pm
“ still say that the game should have been nullified ad the title be given to the #3 team. I saw a coach Channel 10 interviewed, and she said that tensions were high and that it was to be expected. Shame on her for defending these “athletes”.“
Hey mmarcia! That is one I didn’t think of! In addition to the suspensions, that would really send the message home. Students who play RIIL sports would have to think twice.
Posted by anythgsprkly on November 17, 2009 at 2:30 pm “These kids got caught up in the heat of the moment,and it got out of hand. They’re young and hopefully they’ll learn self control,and that there are consequences for there actions.“
They will…RIIL is making sure of that. Good job RIIL.
I am in no way condoning fighting in sports at all. But, I wonder that if the NEWS Media was not there, would there be such a hoopla about this. There are fights at many sporting events and no one hears about them on the NEWS or radio or newspapers. Because this particular one was, all heck breaks loose.
I hope that going forward, RIIL looks into all sporting events and the fighting that goes on at the events.
And not use only this instance to punish the students, for otherwise an impressive season.
I think to much was made of this whole thing.These kids got caught up in the heat of the moment,and it got out of hand. They’re young and hopefully they’ll learn self control,and that there are consequences for there actions.
Come on FormerNovan, you are better than that. Have you ever watched a sporting event? All the “stars” come out of a game (especially a big game) towards the end of a blow out - perhaps for this exact reason…. or to get pat on the A$$ from all teammates and fans saying “you did a great job”. Cahill should not have been out there - one of the best scorers in RI.
I still say that the game should have been nullified ad the title be given to the #3 team. I saw a coach Channel 10 interviewed, and she said that tensions were high and that it was to be expected. Shame on her for defending these “athletes”.
awesome!!!!!
To Interested:
Even if you are winning 5-0 why wouldn’t you let you star players, who are usually seniors enjoy being on the field for the final minutes of their final game ever as a player??
I’m impressed with the RIIL. They did what they had to do.
Too bad the game had to end like that. A question for the coach of both teams.. why were your star players still on the filed in a 5-0 game with one minute left? Shouldn’t you have taken them out and give the other players minutes ina state playoff game? I’m sure they worked hard all year and should have been playing at that point. It might have avoided this mess.
Advertisement