A video has been shared with Edinburgh Live showing the mass brawl that unfolded at Dunbar Utd’s Countess Park during an U16’s regional cup final between two Edinburgh sides.
Police Scotland attended the scene at 6pm on Sunday as the match between Portobello and Tynecastle descended into pandemonium.
In the footage, shared with Edinburgh Live, two players can be seen apparently getting punched in the face - with one lad being knocked to the floor.
Onlookers can be heard screaming at those storming the pitch - with one yelling saying: “Canna be assaulting a wee man like.”
READ MORE: Chaos as Edinburgh parents get involved in mass brawl at youth football game
Adults are seen trying to calm the rammy but some older spectators as well as a group of youths can be spotted getting involved in the fight.
Those attempting to calm the mayhem can be heard screaming: “Get back!”
The video has had to be muted due to the use of vulgar language by those involved in the scrap.
The referee was left with no choice but to abandon the match as there was no real expectation that they would have been able to restore order to the scene of madness.
The match was tied at 2-2, when what was said to have been an accidental collision led to a Portobello player being knocked unconscious, and the game stopped as a result.
Quick-thinking adults on the scene attended to the unconscious player as utter bedlam unfolded around them.
Yesterday, a source that had been involved in youth football for decades claimed: “It is the worst thing I have ever seen during my time in the game.”
They also added that: “Good coaches and people are leaving the game in droves because of this nonsense. Nothing is being done about it. You’re seeing the same thing happening with referees.”
When speaking to Edinburgh Live yesterday, they also said: “There was a collision between the Tynie keeper and a player for Portobello which was accidental but everything stemmed from that.
“There are always big crowds at these end of season cup finals. But when it kicked off the players from each team apparently started fighting and parents stormed on the pitch and were allegedly trying to fight each other and with players.
“I’d spoken to scouts and they said they had not seen anything like it. The referee was meant to have been really shaken up.
“I’ve heard the ref was about to give a penalty but everything just kicked off.
“One of the players was apparently decked with a hook to the jaw. Parents were on the pitch from every angle and it’s claimed they were throwing punches.
“I’ve spoken to several folk and they have said they have never seen anything like it in youth football.
“The game is going to the dogs at the moment. Not enough good people involved.”
Another individual, who does not wish to be named, confirmed that the fight broke out after the accidental collision that knocked a Portobello player unconscious - it is understood that the player is now home and recovering from the injury.
They also confirmed that adult spectators had become involved in the violent scene on the pitch but that the vast majority “were trying to keep the peace and de-escalate the situation.”
They said: “There wasn’t that much fighting but a lot of pushing going on. It may have seemed worse with everyone piling onto the pitch.
“A couple of players were punched and another was apparently kicked in the head.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers were called to reports of a fight at a pitch on Kellie Road, Dunbar at around 6.20pm on Sunday, 29 March, 2022.
“One person was taken to hospital to be checked over. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
The person taken to hospital was the player knocked out by the accidental collision - it is believed that no one was treated for injuries following the fight.
Both Portobello and Tynecastle U16’s have been contacted for comment.
