9 athletes suspended after soccer brawl

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - A total of nine student athletes have been suspended from participating in school sports following an on-field brawl between two girl soccer teams.

After reviewing Eyewitness News video of the scuffle, the Rhode Island Interscholastic League handed down the punishment late Tuesday morning.

The penalties stem from a fight that broke out Nov. 8 during a state championship game between the girls soccer teams from Woonsocket and Tolman High Schools.

The referees were able to break up the fight, but the melee eventually spread into the stands.

"Parents please get on board support the school because that's the only way to fight against violence. It's the only way," said Woonsocket High School Principal Lourenco Garcia.

As part of Tuesday's punishment, the athletes involved, five from Woonsocket and four from Tolman, will be barred from participating in RIIL-sanctioned sports for a period ranging from two games all the way to one year, the league said.

"Make sure the message gets across that violence is not the proper way to do things, sports is a way of celebrating," said Principal Lourenco Garcia.

In addition, the league imposed sanctions on the coaches of both teams.

Those involved could still face additional punishment from their schools if administrators choose to take action.

"The Committee has issued these suspensions as a clear message to not only those involved but to all athletes that fighting and unsportsmanlike behavior has no place in interscholastic athletics and will not be tolerated," the league said in a statement.