MASL boots San Diego Sockers player after incident with fans in Milwaukee

TL;DR

The Major Arena Soccer League expelled a San Diego Sockers player and suspended two others following altercations with fans after a game against the Milwaukee Wave. Both teams were fined, and the Sockers will be without key players for their next championship match.

Key points

MASL expelled one Sockers player and suspended two others
Incident occurred after a game against the Milwaukee Wave
Both teams were fined by the league
Sockers will miss key players for upcoming championship match
Ongoing efforts to identify involved spectators

San Diego SockersMilwaukee WaveMajor Arena Soccer League

The Major Arena Soccer League expelled one San Diego Sockers player, suspended two others and fined two more in the aftermath of altercations following the team’s game against the Milwaukee Wave on April 22 at the UWM Panther Arena.

Additionally, both clubs have been fined, the league announced April 23, and efforts are ongoing to identify spectators who were involved.

The penalties mean that for Game 2 of the three-game Ron Newman Cup championship series April 24, the Sockers will be without three players who were among their top 10 scorers in the regular season and two of their top eight scorers in the playoffs.

The trouble stemmed from an incident late in the Sockers’ 5-4 victory in which Sockers defender Cesar Cerda kicked Wave defender Tony Walls in the groin. The traditional handshake line turned contentious, and then jeering elevated to spectators hurling debris and drinks at Sockers players and players retaliating.

San Diego Sockers midfielder Stefan Mijatovic riles up the crowd fans while standing on the bench late and hollering in MASL finals Game 1 against the Milwaukee Wave on April 22 at the UWM Panther Arena. Mijatovic was expelled from the league for his part in a post-game fracas involving spectators.