Auburn team plane has to return to airport after ‘fighting’ between players delaying travel to game at Houston…see more.
A flight carrying the Auburn men’s basketball team had to turn back to the airport after departing on Friday due to an altercation among players, according to CBS Sports sources. Auburn, ranked No. 11, is scheduled to face No. 4 Houston on Saturday night at the Toyota Center in Houston.
Public flight data shows the plane didn’t leave Alabama airspace before it reversed course. A report from Birmingham’s Fox affiliate revealed that air traffic control received a message from the plane about “a bunch of basketball players” fighting, prompting the return to Auburn’s airport.
WBRC’s Jonathan Hardison tweeted a statement from one of the pilots: “Flight deck is secure, the threat level is contained. We just had — we’ll have police on the ground, we had two players that got into a physical altercation, clothes were ripped.”
The identities of the players involved remain unknown, as does the severity of the incident. Auburn’s spokesperson indicated a statement might be released Friday night, but by late evening, a possible press release was expected Saturday.
Auburn arranged a new flight late Friday, expected to arrive in Houston around 1 a.m. local time, though it’s unclear if all players were on board. Auburn’s game against Houston is set for 9:30 p.m. ET at the Toyota Center.
