A MASS brawl ended in morning football mayhem in Millbrook.

Players, supporters and even officials were all involved and, after what was described as a vicious fight, a linesman had blood pouring from his nose and a player had a tooth knocked out.

One eye-witness, himself a part-time football official, described the fight as the worst he had ever seen at a football match.

Now the Hampshire Football Association, who have just reported a 19 per cent rise in indiscipline this season, are due to receive the referee's official report.

The FA would not comment.

But City of Southampton Football League secretary Richard Ember confirmed that the AJ Miller Cup match - between Ocean Clean and Regents Park at Millbrook Recreation Ground - had been abandoned.

This latest incident is thought to be one of the most serious yet, with the referee immediately waving the match off amid a virtual riot.

The eye-witness, who did not want to be named, said: "There was blood everywhere and it was like a gang war, it was an incredible scene and totally disgusting.

"It all started when there was a penalty. The linesman called the referee over and someone thought the linesman had touched him with his flag.

"A supporter then attacked the linesman. He was knocked to the ground and then some of the players started joining in.

"And just as he was getting up someone went to pretend to help him and then punched him straight in the nose. His nose burst open and he was wearing glasses which were all over the place."

But Regents Park acting secretary Derek Underhill alleged the linesman had provoked the incident.

"We were losing 3-2 with ten minutes left and the referee gave a penalty, but their linesman came on and that was what started the ruckus.

"One of our defenders who was not even involved in the incident got whacked by someone and lost one of his teeth.

"They apologised to him after, but it was all a bit late then. Anyway it was just a heated moment. The police weren't involved and we just want to forget about it."

The county FA are already a massive 400 referees short of the number needed for all games.

The witness to the fight, who did not want to be named, said it had made him reconsider whether to officiate at grassroots football again.

He added: "There is absolutely no room for thing like that to happen on football pitches. I am a club linesman and I wouldn't want to run the line again. You get so much stick, but this was something else all-together."

A member of the Ocean Clean club said the temperature had been rising throughout the match and it just boiled over.

"It's not something you feel proud of being involved with," he said. "People should realise it's just a game of football."

He said he did not know what would happen now.

"I don't think anyone cares. We just want to forget about it," he said.