A children’s soccer game in Massachusetts took a shocking turn when an off-duty police officer allegedly attacked the opposing team’s coach, authorities say.
The incident happened around 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 1, at a recreation center in Northborough, according to the Northborough Police Department. Officers responded to a 911 call reporting “a fight on the field.”
Police said an initial investigation revealed that a confrontation broke out between a parent and a coach from the opposing team. The parent, identified as a 36-year-old West Boylston resident, was later confirmed by Worcester police to be one of their own officers, according to the Telegram & Gazette.
Surveillance footage from the recreation center, reviewed by WCVB, reportedly shows the officer storming across the field and confronting the coach. After a tense verbal exchange, the officer grabs the coach by the collar and shoves him against a fence. Chaos erupts as children scream and adults rush in to break up the altercation, which ends in a heated scuffle on the turf.
Authorities have not disclosed what sparked the fight.
Worcester police said the officer has been placed on leave while an internal investigation is underway. He could face assault and battery charges pending his upcoming arraignment.
Northborough police have not publicly named the officer.
The incident took place at Teamworks Northborough, a sports facility about 45 miles southwest of Boston. McClatchy News reached out to the rec center for comment but has not yet received a response.
Real Deal Team
If he can’t control his temper he sure as hell doesn’t need to have a badge and a gun.