An unusual video has emerged of an argument between parents in the stands during a high school soccer match in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month

The footage, taken by sports photographer Kyle Goodwin, captures a heated verbal exchange during a match between Westlake & St. Francis de Sales.

After a Westlake player falls down in a heavy tackle, parents and fans of the St Francis de Sales team ridicule the stricken player, accusing him of feigning injury.

Goodwin can then be heard sticking up for the player, arguing "He's got a bad ankle people, settle down," prompting a tirade of insults from the opposing fans.

"In my 35+ years experience around the game of soccer, this Saturday's night soccer match between Westlake & Toledo St. Francis DeSales has to rank up at the top of the list of experiences - and not in a good way," Goodwin wrote online.

An unusual video has emerged of an argument between parents in the stands during a high school soccer match in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month

The footage, taken by sports photographer Kyle Goodwin, captures a heated verbal exchange during a match between Westlake & St. Francis de Sales.

After a Westlake player falls down in a heavy tackle, parents and fans of the St Francis de Sales team ridicule the stricken player, accusing him of feigning injury.

Goodwin can then be heard sticking up for the player, arguing "He's got a bad ankle people, settle down," prompting a tirade of insults from the opposing fans.

"In my 35+ years experience around the game of soccer, this Saturday's night soccer match between Westlake & Toledo St. Francis DeSales has to rank up at the top of the list of experiences - and not in a good way," Goodwin wrote online.
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Here's an email that I sent to the school of the belligerent fans:
Hello,
I get paid by the Westlake High School boys soccer team to film their games.

In my 35+ years experience around the game of soccer, this Saturday's night soccer match between Westlake & Toledo St. Francis DeSales has to rank up at the top of the list of experiences - and not in a good way.

Now I understand that the majority of high school soccer parents aren't as informed as the true soccer fans are, but there's no excuse for what I personally witnessed (and for what my videocamera's microphone captured).

During the match, the referee was very poor (for both teams). He even almost allowed a few altercations that could have become violent, but the players policed themselves.

Because of the lack of control, fans from Westlake & DeSales continually yelled at the ref when things didn't go in their favor.
After awhile, the fans began to yell at each other (which is completely against OHSAA rules of sportsmanship).
They began to taunt each other when they got a call in their favor.

After several minutes of listening to this, I yelled to ALL the fans to "Stay Classy!!!"

That was my way of informing them that they were ALL out of line.
The message obviously didn't get across to them.

Then, what happened in the final minute is disgusting!

A Westlake player injured his ankle and fell down hard in the middle of the field.
The referee blew his whistle to stop the clock for the injury.

The DeSales fans immediately began yelling at the Westlake player (Paraphrase: claiming that he was faking a foul to get a call and that he should "Get up!")

This hit a nerve with me. Grown adults yelling at an injured high school athlete.
What if it was their son? Would they accept the other team yelling at their son to "Get up! or quit faking it"

I told them to "calm down & that they player was injured & that he came into the game with an injured ankle."

The fans/parents immediately yelled at me "Well you've been yelling at our kids all game! You yelled the "N" word at our player!"

After a moment of confusion, I said, "I've never said a word to or about your players."

Again, they yelled at me that "My players have been saying bad things to their kids." and I reiterated that "I don't have any kids here."

Then, they started yelling at me:
"Put your big boy pants on!"
"And why don't you stay classy! You've been yelling at our kids all night!"
"If you don't want to hear it, then move your camera!"

After the game, one parent approached me and calmly explained to me - "during an altercation in the game a Westlake player called #22 of DeSales the "N" word. And that's why the rest of the crowd was acting that way (towards me)."
I explained to him that IF that was true, that is horrible, but it doesn't give them the right to act the way they did, ESPECIALLY TO ME!!!

Moments later, I approached the Westlake coach & informed him what the DeSales parent told me about the racist comment. The coach said that he spoke to the DeSales coach, & the player that the comment was ALLEGEDLY directed towards admitted that NO ONE said such a remark to him.

So, in other words, these fans/parents were belligerent & hostile towards me FOR NO REASON!!! They heard something that didn't happen!

After reflecting on this incident, the ONLY explanation HAS to be that alcohol was involved.
Now, I'm only speculating, but no other explanation makes sense.
I can't believe that people act this way without any outside stimulation.
In any event, I can't believe that your school would condone such behavior (with or without alcohol).

The DeSales team gave a great effort in a hard-fought 1-0 loss. I have a lot of respect for the players.

BUT.............

This is a horrible example that these fans/parents set for your student-athletes, school, community & diocese.

This is the first AND HOPEFULLY last time that I ever have any possible contact with anyone or anything from Toledo St. Francis DeSales.
I felt like I needed a shower when I got home.

I would like an apology from all the fans/parents involved.



Kyle Goodwin
OhioSportsNet www.ohiosportsnet.tv