UMass Boston players banned from game after dirty play

BOSTON — Two UMass Boston soccer players will be missing out on a key tournament this weekend after receiving red cards for dirty play.

UMass Boston beat Haverford last Sunday to advance to the Sweet 16 and it was a physical game, with more than 50 fouls called.

One of the foul that led to the loss of a player happened after a Haverford player pulled down a UMass player. In turn, that UMass player kicked the ball into his opponent's face. The referee immediately issued a red card, throwing the player out of the game, and suspending him for the next.

Late in the game, video shows UMass #77 Ocane Williamson elbow his opponent in the face for no apparent reason. He then grabbed a player around the neck and threw him to the ground.

This series of fouls led the referee to issue at red card – throwing Williamson out. At that point, William headbutted the referee. Video shows the referee hunched over in pain, staggering out of view

"I've played soccer most of my life and seeing something like that, seeing someone head butt a ref. That is unacceptable,” said Adil Elkarnch, a UMass Boston student.

FOX25 reached out to UMass Boston about the rough play and the headbutt. They issued a statement that said in part, “The actions of a few players on the field Sunday were unacceptable and cannot be condoned in any way. We have taken appropriate disciplinary action toward the players involved in this incident, and we have met with all players on the team to convey the gravity of the situation and our response.”

Last year, the team made national headlines for a Twitter war with a former New England Revolution player about concussions. Three players were disciplined in that incident.

It’s the first time UMass Boston has ever played in the Sweet 16 Tournament, and they will first play Tufts Saturday.

Cox Media Group