Wild brawl breaks out at Western Sydney rugby league game between Lalor Park Kookas and Berala Bears
Police are investigating after video emerged of a shocking fight between players and fans at a rugby league game in Sydney’s west on Sunday.
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Rugby league officials and police are set to investigate a shocking brawl captured on video that spilled into a carpark at an A Grade game at Chester Hill on Sunday afternoon.
The incident involving players and fans from the Berala Bears and the Lalor Park Kookas broke out about 30 minutes after the completion of their match at Terry Lamb Complex in Sydney’s west.
The fight lasted about one minute and had broken up by the time police arrived, with officers from the local Bankstown Police Area Command now investigating after being provided with the footage.
Lalor Park secretary Sonia Smart said she was “horrified” at the incident.
“Based purely on the footage provided we are horrified at the events and that this could occur at a club football game,” Ms Smart said.
“We are investigating what has occurred. Our concern at this time is with our players and their safety. This should not happen.”
A source involved with the Berala Bears said they were now preparing to pull their team out of the league.
“We’ve got a tough love policy, we don’t condone any violence, there is zero tolerance,” the source said.
“We told them at the start of the year if there are any incidents you’re gone then this, so after all this we sat them down and told them we’re pulling the team. It’s so frustrating.”
Berala Bears President Omar Sankari was at the venue and said he expected to get cited by the league.
“People are going to get cited by the Parramatta junior league,” he said.
“Fortunately, no-one was badly hurt.”
The NSWRL is likely to come down heavily on the two clubs.
They have the power to suspend players, ban spectators and kick the teams out of the competition.
Lalor Park won the game 28-24 against the Berala Bears in the Central Wests Open Mens silver competition.
In a statement, a NSW Police spokeswoman said: “About 3pm today, police were called to a stadium on Waldron Road at Chester Hill responding to reports of a brawl.
“Officers from Bankstown Police Area Command attended; however, the group had dispersed.
“Following inquiries, it’s believed members of two football teams were involved in a fight following a game.
“Investigators have not yet spoken to anyone involved and are urging anyone with information to come forward.”
On Sunday night, NSWRL released a statement saying they were aware of the incident.
“The incident will be reviewed [on Monday] by the NSWRL in conjunction with Canterbury-Bankstown District Junior Rugby League and Parramatta Junior Rugby League.
“The review will take into account any video footage as well as reports from the ground manager, referees and any eyewitnesses.”
NSWRL said it had a zero-tolerance approach towards violent and/or abusive conduct towards players, officials and spectators and would make no further comment until the investigation was complete.