The Indoor Football League (IFL) just had their own version of the ‘Malice at the Palace’
During the final minute of the game between the Arizona Rattlers and Massachusetts Pirates, chaos erupted when players began brawling. The situation got even worse when it spilled into the stands and included fans.
With 32.7 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Pirates defensive back Leon O’Neal Jr. leaped into the stands to confront an apparent heckler.
Security tried to get the player from out of the stands, but more players would jump in as chaos ensued. Punches were thrown as several more players on the Pirates jumped into the stands.
In the clip, you can see a woman was seen comforting a crying young after the fight. Five players and at least one fan were ejected after the melee.
The Indoor Football League announced that O’Neal Jr., teammates Chris Ingram and Charles Williams, and Pirates coach Patrick Pass have been suspended indefinitely.
“Under zero circumstance can you ever go beyond the wall and into the stands,” Indoor Football League commissioner Todd Tryon said in a statement.
“This is a one-time incident that does not reflect what the IFL stands for. We are a family-friendly league that offers great sports entertainment, and we will continue to build on that moving forward. What was a very exciting game was marred by the actions of a few.
“These actions will never be tolerated and are being fully dealt with.”
The Rattlers will wrap up their regular season next Saturday when they take on the defending champion Northern Arizona Wranglers at the Footprint Center.
