Brawl between Chelsea Heights, Doveton Eagles female players ends match

TWO football clubs are likely to be charged, following a mass brawl among players that ended a women’s football match in Chelsea Heights before half time.

TWO football clubs are likely to be charged, following a mass brawl among players that ended a women’s football match in Chelsea Heights before half time.

Southern Football Netball League chief executive Mike Palmer said the umpires decided to abandon the game when spectators went on to the ground and tried to break up the fighting.

He said most players were involved.

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The incident happened in the Division 2 match between Chelsea Heights and Doveton Eagles at Beazley Reserve in Chelsea Heights last Friday night.

“My understanding is that it was a pretty competitive and feisty game and we ended up with a fight that involved most of the players,’’ Palmer said this afternoon.

“It was felt the game couldn’t continue from that point.

“I don’t think there was any fighting in the crowd. I’m told there were some spectators on the field, attempting to pull the players apart.’’

The Doveton team was leading the match.

Palmer said he was informed about the fighting later that night “and I was disappointed’’.

“We’re really unhappy when teams feel the need to fight in any of our games. It’s not something we ever want to see.’’

The league has been investigating this week and Palmer said he expected the clubs to appear before an independent panel next Tuesday.

“We’ve received some reports and we’ve scheduled a hearing,’’ Palmer said.

“I think the intention is to charge both clubs for bringing the game into disrepute, conduct unbecoming and that sort of thing.

“I don’t want to prejudge what the outcome will be but it’s obviously a very unfortunate incident and we’re disappointed.’’

Palmer said it was “1000 per cent false’’ that the league had thrown the Chelsea Heights team out of the competition.

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