CHULA VISTA, Calif. – A high school soccer coach was arrested as a result of a brawl involving 20-50 people during a Feb. 1 soccer match. One youth was sent to the hospital.
The fight began around 4 p.m., about 10 minutes into the second half of the match where teams from Otay Ranch High School and San Ysidro High School were playing. Players from both teams began to argue about a foul on the field.
Contract coach for San Ysidro High, Eduardo Jimenez Arenas, 39, then walked onto the field and choked a player for Otay Ranch, according to police. A referee then ended the game, as school officials intervened to end the fight.
Arenas approached the referee, who was having a conversation with a parent. An argument between Arenas and the parent broke out, resulting in a shoving match between the two. A 17-year-old student from Otay Ranch tried to break up the fight; however, Arenas punched the teen on the ground.
Police say a 25-year-old spectator then kicked the student in the face and then ran off once the police stopped the assault.
The incident triggered an all-out scuffle on the field.
The teen victim was taken to the hospital with facial injuries and cuts. He was released later that night with a neck brace.
Arenas was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and battery. Bail was set at $130,000.
