Oh No, Don't Give MLS Refs Ideas!

Referee Sends Off An Entire Team In Argentina

Violence in Argentinian football is not exactly an uncommon occurrence at the moment but last Saturday a situation erupted that was far from normal.

Days after clashes in the game between Godoy Cruz and San Martin, an encounter in Primera C ended with one team having all their players sent off, including substitutes.

Barracas Bolivar and General Lamadrid were the two teams involved, and when the incident occurred the home side were leading 3-0.

However, with 60 minutes gone the game had to be abandoned after what can only be described as an extraordinary series of events.

It started when three players and four staff from Lamadrid became involved in a dispute between the local fans of Bolivar.

The incident soon escalated and within moments all the players from the away side came over to defend their team-mates and staff, clashing with the supporters.

Plenty of punches were thrown and the violence had to be broken up by some of those present at the stadium.

In seeing what had happened, the referee decided to issue 18 red cards to the away team, sending off not just the eleven players on the pitch, but also the seven substitutes.

Not only did the decision destroy that encounter, but it means Lamadrid will have to play with a team full of reserve players in the next match.

That is pretty bad when a ref allows home fans to goad a team into such a fate.

Of course, now the precedent has been set....what should we do to the Fire??

Hmmm....

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