10
4
A Florida sheriff's deputy is recovering after he was injured while trying to break up a fight between fans after the Orlando City SC soccer game against New York City FC.
The Orange County Sheriff's deputy was working extra duty for the Orlando Police Department at the team's home opening game Sunday at the new soccer-only stadium in the city.
Witnesses told WKMG that a New York fan got into an argument with an Orlando City fan about one block from the stadium on Church Street.
The officer tried to stop the fight but he was immediately attacked.
Cellphone footage of the fight shows a huge crowd of people gathered near a patrol car shoving and pushing someone on the ground before other officers jump in to assist the person on the pavement.
Orlando police Lt. Robert Bear said that several people involved in the fight started 'striking and choking the deputy.'
The deputy used his radio to request back-up and roughly 50 officers responded to the chaotic scene.
'I was just hoping the officer was going to be OK and they could contain the situation,' a witness told WKMG.