Shocking moment an indoor soccer match between Milwaukee and Tacoma descends into a violent brawl

A wild brawl broke out at the end of a Major Arena Soccer League match which resulted in multiple suspensions and fines.

Back in a January 18 game between the Milwaukee Wave and the Tacoma Stars, the teams got into an altercation while shaking hands after Milwaukee’s 7-6 overtime victory.

In video from the game, it appears that the physical altercation began when one player – Tacoma’s Stefan Mijatovic – and a coach exchanged shoves.

Things quickly devolved from there with multiple players on both teams going after each other.

One player, which appeared to be Mijatovic, was then seen sprinting down the tunnel – either towards someone or away from the crowd. He was immediately pursued by a number of players from both teams. It’s not clear what happened in the tunnels.

After a review of the incident, the MASL league office handed down multiple suspensions, fines and other forms of punishment to players on both teams.

The post-game descended into chaos with shoving continuing on the field and down the tunnel

Mijatovic was hit with the harshest punishment as he had been ‘previously put on a league probation’. He was suspended four games ‘as a result of his in-game and post-game conduct, and for making unprofessional, offensive and abusive language/comments in-game and post-game.’

Additionally, Mijatovic was fined, received two penalty points from the league, and has been mandated to complete an anger management course.

His teammates also received punishment – with Roman Torres being issued a fine, a post-game red card, two penalty points, and a one game suspension. Luis Birruetta was also given a one game suspension, two penalty points, and an undisclosed fine.

As for Milwaukee, two players – Tenzin Rampa and Derek Huffman – have been suspended two games for their conduct. Both were fined and received two penalty points. Huffman’s suspension was upgraded from one game to two because he was on probation by the league.

Finally, Milwaukee’s Qudus Lawal was suspended a game, a fine, and was hit with two penalty points.

The league’s statement concluded, ‘All MASL players, staff, and league personnel are expected to always demonstrate professionalism and self-discipline, regardless of whether extenuating circumstances exist.’ 

Tacoma released a statement of its own saying they were conducting an internal review of the incident.

The MASL was founded in 2008 and is made up of 11 teams in the United States and Mexico.