Discipline for Burbank boys’ JV soccer over profane banner

It was a crosstown rivalry that went too far.

On Jan. 13, after the Burbank High Burroughs junior football team defeated Burroughs 4-1, players unveiled a banner that read “F – Burroughs.”

“This is totally inappropriate,” said Matt Hill, superintendent of the Burbank Unified School District, “and unacceptable.”

A member of the Burbank coaching staff appeared in a photo of the incident that was circulated among teams and the district, and an assistant was suspended, Hill said, clarifying that the coach was not involved. Discipline was also passed down to the players involved, he said, which “may have included suspensions”.

Burroughs athletic director Jose Valle said Burbank’s coaches and principals apologized. Burbank varsity coach Robert Romero called the incident “regrettable” and confirmed the team will issue a public apology to Burroughs ahead of a rematch on Thursday.

Kids in Burroughs and Burbank grew up playing against each other, Valle said, and the rivalry can get “pretty heated at times.”

He just hadn’t seen it before.

“Hopefully everyone learned something and we can all move on,” Valle said.