The Major Indoor Soccer League Eastern Conference finals ended with a bang on Sunday.
The Baltimore Blast defeated the Missouri Comets 10-7 to advance to the league championship. However, it wasn’t what happened during the game that made headlines. With cameras still rolling after the game, Missouri Comets defender Andre Braithwaite approached Baltimore Blast defender Pat Healey for, one would expect, a post-game handshake. Instead, Braithwaite grabbed the back of Healey’s head and head-butted him.
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Most likely, Braithwaite was unhappy with his team’s result. The Comets were undefeated prior to playing the Blast. Tensions were high throughout the contest. The closing minutes of the game featured two red cards, and during his post-game interview, Comets coach Vlatko Andonovski voiced concerns that the game was rigged by referees and Blast owner Edwin F. Hale Sr., according to KansasCity.com.
Blast head coach Danny Kelly criticized Braithwaite after the game.
“You win with class and you lose with class. They obviously didn’t lose with class. From what … Braithwaite did, it’s a black eye for their team and for the league. It’s just gutless behavior,” said Kelly, KansasCity.com reports.
Pat Healy of the @BaltimoreBlast after @CometsMASL #16 head butts him after the game @MASLarena pic.twitter.com/9rPI3v5zPL
— Andrew Haines (@AndrewGHaines) March 15, 2015
Trainers rushed to Healey’s aid following the incident. He received stitches, but will be ready for the club’s championship matchup against the Monterrey Flash, according to the Blast’s Facebook page.
Braithwaite was released by the Comets shortly after word of his actions reached the team. Good on the Comets for taking swift action.
The Comets organization announces that Andre Braithwaite has been released from the team effective immediately.
— Missouri Comets (@CometsMASL) March 16, 2015