Tempers boiled over and then some in Southampton's pre-season friendly clash against Lazio as violent scenes saw opposition players fight each other in the second-half.

Chaos erupted in the friendly that was anything but that when Saints striker Carlos Alcaraz sought to back-up a team-mate and charged into a crowd of Lazio players with his actions subsequently sparking more violence.

The match was level at 1-1 in the 62nd minute after Alcaraz assisted new Saints recruit Ben Brereton Diaz to give the hosts the lead early on in the game, before Taty Castellanos equalised with a stunning goal.


Southampton were hosting the Serie A visitors on the south coast in their penultimate pre-season friendly ahead of the new Premier League season getting underway and a trip to Newcastle awaiting Russell Martin's side.

However, any good feeling between the two sides was eradicated just after the hour mark when a series of individual flashpoints resulted in the two teams - and members of the coaching team - being involved in a fight.

Fans in the crowd were shocked as Lazio midfielder Danilo Cataldi reacted unhappily to a challenge and attempted to address a Southampton player, prompting Alcaraz - who spent part of last season on-loan at Juventus - to fly in and forcibly push Cataldi in the face.

Lazio's Alessio Romagnoli reacted by wildly attempting to grab Alcaraz around the throat, with his actions sending the Argentinian into a rage of furious anger.

Lazio players began pushing Alcaraz in retaliation with a total of five opposition stars bundling in on the Saints star who is set for a second campaign in England's top-flight.

Southampton members then reacted angrily in a show of support for their colleague with viral footage suggesting punches were thrown amongst a mix of colliding players as match officials surrounded the fracas.

Alcaraz refused to settle and continued to try and get at Lazio players while team-mates tried to hold him back as Southampton management staff also ran onto the field of play.

Whistles and boos echoed around the stadium as the two groups of players continued to push and shove one another before Alcaraz was eventually shown a red card and ordered to leave the pitch.

Saints boss Martin had tried to calm his star down but was unable to stop the referee from giving Alcaraz his marching orders while Romagnoli was also sent off for his involvement.