POLICE were called to a ladies football match after a fight broke out on the sidelines, leaving one man injured.

The match between Poole Town Ladies FC Reserves and Wool and Winfrith FC ended in a two-all draw at Upton Recreation Ground - but near the end of the game a fight broke out on the side of the pitch.

It is understood that none of the players were involved, but it is believed the incident did involve officials and team staff.

According to one eyewitness, violence ensued after an insulting remark was allegedly made about one of the players on the pitch.

A Dorset Police spokesman said officers were called to Upton Recreation Ground in Sea View Road, Poole, around 4pm on Sunday following reports of a fight at a football match.

The spokesman confirmed that one male had been injured in the incident. However the extent of his injuries were unknown.

"No arrests have been made so far but investigations are ongoing," he added.

Sue Hough MBE, the chief executive of Dorset County Football Association (DCFA) said she was unable to comment on the incident until the referee's match report was submitted.

However she has said that any violence at matches will not be tolerated.

She added: "The DCFA promotes respect at all of our football matches and expect players, spectators, referees and linesmen to adhere to that."

Neither team returned the Echo's request for comment.

This is not the first incident of football violence in the Bournemouth and Poole area.

In December two youngsters playing for the Bournemouth Youth Poppies Under 13s began arguing after their team lost to Sholing.

It eventually escalated into a physical fight and both the manager and assistant manager had to intervene in order to put a stop to the incident.

At the time the club said the issue was dealt with "in house" and condemned aggressive behaviour at matches.

Last year the Surrey Youth League chairman Graham Ekins went a step further and called for clubs to take a "tough stand" by banning problem parents.

It followed reports of parents head-butting linesmen, fighting, and threatening to stab a referee.