Video: Fight disqualifies Birmingham, El Camino Real from California high school boys soccer playoffs
Just a few days after Birmingham Charter defeated El Camino Real 2-0 in the Los Angeles City Section boys soccer Division I final, both teams should be prepping for their first match in the CIF State Southern California regional playoffs.
But they aren't.
Instead, both teams will be home after a post-match fight broke out at LA Valley College Saturday evening. (video above)
Both programs were disqualified for their actions and were not selected for the regional playoffs when the brackets were released over the weekend.
The City Section released a statement Sunday.
"The CIF Los Angeles City Section has determined that due to the events that occurred at the conclusion of the Division I boys soccer championship game, Birmingham and El Camino Real will not advance to the CIF SoCal Boys Soccer Regionals," the press release read. "The Birmingham and El Camino Real administrations have accepted this decision."
The statement continued: "The CIF Los Angeles City Section maintains interscholastic athletic competition should always demonstrate high standards of ethics and sportsmanship and promote the development of good character and other important life skills. Respect and integrity towards each other prior, during, and after a contest is of utmost priority."
The video obtained by SBLive appears to show two opposing players getting into it around the 16-second mark, which prompts others to join the scuffle where punches were thrown.
The Birmingham vs. El Camino Real soccer rivalry is one of the best in the City Section, but tempers got the best of both teams on Saturday.
Birmingham won its fourth City title in six seasons. El Camino Real hasn't won the Division I crowns since 2020.
Birmingham finished the season 17-3-1. ECR finished 18-5-1.
