Sarasota youth football referee attacked by player, adults

SARASOTA (By JOSÉ PATIÑO GIRONA and PETER BERNARD, The Tampa Tribune) - A referee's call in a youth football game over the weekend led to an attack on him involving players, coaches and people in the crowd.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday it is investigating the fight, which was captured on video.

The melee occurred on the field just before halftime of a game Saturday afternoon between the Sarasota Gators and the North Port Huskies at Riverview High School in Sarasota. The players were 13 and 14 years old.

Debbie Ismail, a parent and treasurer for the North Port Huskies, said she was on the sideline at the time of the brawl.

"It was unbelievable," Ismail said. "Very bad, poor sportsmanship. It was horrifying."