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Colorado youth basketball game ends after referees get into fight

Three referees were caught on video getting into a fistfight at a youth basketball tournament in Lakewood, Colorado on Saturday, Dec. 9. Police are currently investigating the incident.

What happens in the video?

The video above was taken by a spectator during the fourth quarter of a game between Cherry Creek and Legend Blue.

In the video, you can see one referee take a swing at another, causing the latter to fall to the ground. That didn't stop him though. Even after a third referee jumped on top of the man on the ground, the dazed ref got back on his feet and tried to continue fighting the referee that threw the initial punch. Onlookers had to jump in to stop the fight once and for all.

The fighting referees then fled the scene and were nowhere to be found once police showed up.

Have any arrests been made?

No.

The investigation is still ongoing. TMZ reports that the Lakewood Police are aware of the situation, but could not make any arrests as the "involved parties had already left the gym."

Have the referees suffered any consequences?

Yes.

The Gold Crown Foundation, a Colorado Youth nonprofit that offers sports and entertainment to kids and was hosting the game where the fight took place, announced that the involved referees will be suspended indefinitely from working for the organization.

"We have informed these independently contracted officials that they are suspended indefinitely from working for Gold Crown Foundation," the foundation told TMZ. They continued, "Most importantly we apologize to everyone that had to witness their unacceptable behavior - especially the kids."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows referees at youth basketball game get into fight