THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRADFORD, England — A referee has taken the bizarre step of sending off five players in the dressing room following an ugly post-match brawl at an English fourth-tier match that required the intervention of police.
Three Bradford players and two from visiting Crawley Town were shown a red card by the referee after punches were thrown in the aftermath of the away side’s 2-1 win at Valley Parade on Tuesday.
Bradford manager Phil Parkinson says "I have never been in a situation before where a ref has come into the dressing room, pulled players on one side and sent them off. He wouldn’t allow me in there."
Seven players — six from Crawley — were also booked during an ill-tempered match.
The Football Association is expected to investigate the brawl.