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Crew plays down 'altercation' during weekend game

  -- The Associated Press

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Columbus Crew officials are playing down a weekend incident that included punches and police, describing it as a brief "altercation."

Crew officials issued a statement Tuesday blaming three English Premier League club West Ham United fans for the Sunday skirmish. The club says West Ham fans went into Crew stands, and that reports describing the incident as a brawl or fight are incorrect.

The Major League Soccer team says the halftime incident was crowded with bystanders, not participants.

Some participants threw punches, and three people were told to leave Crew Stadium.

West Ham's chief executive said Monday he hoped the incident wouldn't mar the club's North American trip.

West Ham United beat the Columbus Crew 3-1.