ALBUQUERQUE, NM — A youth football team in Albuquerque has been banned for the season after a parent body-slammed a referee.
After a flag on a play, a push from a player, then a push back from a referee, one father crossed a line that any responsible sports parent knows should never be crossed.
All while the 13-year-old football players looked on.
Parents say the fight happened in the middle of a Young America Football League game on Saturday between Rio Grande and Atrisco Heritage.
"Unfortunately some people get too excited for these events and they decide to go on to the field and take matters into their own hands," said Officer Simon Drobik of the Albuquerque Police department. "I think nationwide you're seeing this behavior nationwide not just Albuquerque."
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As with any youth sports league, the YAFL has a code of conduct where parents pledge to control their emotions and set a good example. In a statement, the YAFL said that someone from the Rio Grande team violated those policies and because of that, the entire team is banned for the season.
The New Mexico Activities Association -- which does not oversee YAFL -- says aggressive acts like these are scaring away referees.
"It's disappointing to see something like that occur at a youth sporting event, and unfortunately it's one of those things and other sportsmanship issues that are causing the shortage of officials," Dusty Young told KRQE.
The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office says it responded to the fight. No arrests have been made, but it's still investigating.
CNN/KRQE
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