VIDEO: Soccer Brawl at Peru's National Championship
(CBS/AP) Soccer players brawled in the first match of Peru's national championship final in the highly anticipated game between Leon de Huanuco and Universidad San Martin.
As Leon's Ronaile Calheira and Universidad's Cristian Ramos battled for the ball 33 minutes into the first half, the two players ended up fighting on the sideline, which soon resulted in a brawl.
Riot police broke up the fight and a referee sent four players off the field, including Ramos, Calheira, Universidad's Heber Arriola and Leon's Gustavo Rodas.
Universidad Coach Anibal Ruiz said the passion players have for the game sometimes spills out into fights.
"One must understand and one must respect rivals, players, the people. Sometimes one goes overboard because of passion and passion of this sport is laudable," he said.
But Argentine forward German Allemano said fights muddy the name of soccer.
"These are things that shouldn't happen, that more than anything hurt Peruvian soccer. We want to lift it up but this pushes it down," he said.
The match ended with a 1-1 tie. The second match of the championship will be played December 19, 2010.