The Major Arena Soccer League says it is looking into the clash between players and fans that followed Game 1 of the championship series between the Milwaukee Wave and San Diego Sockers.
Players and team personnel face heavy fines or other discipline, and fans may be banned from all MASL games as well as other events at the UWM Panther Arena, the league said in a statement issued April 23, the morning after the game there.
In the final seconds of the game, Sockers defender Cesar Cerda kicked Wave defender Tony Walls in the groin after they’d come together and Cerda was on the turf. The incident triggered tempers between two team that already were on edge throughout a tense 5-4 Sockers victory.
Fans got involved, jeering and then throwing debris and drinks at San Diego players, some of whom retaliated.
The game was played in front of the second-largest Wave home crowd of the season, 4,603.
The league statement read in part:
“The safety of our players, coaches, and staff is non-negotiable. The league and its clubs are expected to maintain a secure environment at all times.
“The Office of the Commissioner and Disciplinary Review Committee will act swiftly. Any players, coaches, or staff involved will face significant discipline, including heavy fines and suspensions. While the league and its teams will protect all participants, any form of retaliation is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly.
“In coordination with the Milwaukee Wave and UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, the MASL is identifying fans involved in throwing objects. Individuals found responsible will be subject to severe disciplinary action, including indefinite bans from all MASL events and events held at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, subject to further review.”
Game officials reviewed video of the on-field incident, and at the same time, fans saw the same replays. Several minutes later, Cerda was issued a red card for violent conduct, making him ineligible for Game 2 of the best-of-three series April 24 in Oceanside, California.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MASL warns of fines, bans after players and fans clash after Wave-Sockers game
Reporting by Dave Kallmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
