Three Indoor Football League players and a coach have been suspended indefinitely from the league, the IFL commissioner announced Monday after a fight broke out and some players jumped into the stands during a game in Phoenix.
On Sunday, the IFL Arizona Rattlers were playing the Massachusetts Pirates at the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. With just 32 seconds left in the game, a fight broke out between some Massachusetts players and fans. That's when three Pirates players and a coach went into the stands, KPNX-TV reported. Officials announced during the game that five Massachusetts players were ejected.
On Monday, IFL commissioner Todd Tyron reviewed video of the fight and a report from game officials. He then announced that Pirates players (defensive back Leon O'Neal Jr., defensive back Chris Ingram, and linebacker Charles 'Chucky' Williams) along with director of football personnel development Patrick Pass had been suspended indefinitely and fined.
The IFL said the Pirates organization was also fined.
The cause of the fight has not been announced, KPNX-TV reported.
"The Indoor Football League takes pride in our effort to create a family-friendly environment," a statement from Tyron said. "The actions of these individuals do not represent or align with these unwavering IFL values. The IFL sincerely apologizes to the Arizona Rattlers, Arizona fans, as well as fans across the country. The IFL will not tolerate this type of action."
The Rattlers will wrap up their regular season Saturday when they take on the defending champion Northern Arizona Wranglers at the Footprint Center. Kickoff is at 6:05 p.m.
