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The Auburn Tigers will likely arrive late for their next game against the Houston Cougars, as reports indicate that their flight west on Friday, November 8th, had to be turned around due to a conflict between some players-something never before recorded in sports history.
Sources close to the incident report that the flight had been in the air for 45 minutes when the pilot and the crew decided to turn back. A new flight is already scheduled for later Friday to Houston, as the Tigers are set to face the Cougars at 9:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.
The Tigers engage in a mid-flight altercation
One of the pilots in charge of the flight described the event as a fight to air traffic control. A rumor has been circulating on social media suggesting that a group of three players had a physical altercation, although neither the Tigers nor the relevant authorities have confirmed this.
"We have a bunch of basketball players fighting," the pilot reportedly said upon landing.
Speculation has arisen that players involved in the altercation could face disciplinary actions from the team's management and head coach Bruce Pearl, which could identify those responsible for the mid-air conflict.
WBRC has confirmed they have audio recording of the incident but have decided not to release it for legal reasons. WBRC also reported that they received information stating that the plane diverted its course several minutes after takeoff in the afternoon.
This conflict could affect Auburn's performance against Houston
On Wednesday, the Tigers played their first game of the season, winning 94-43 in dominant fashion against the Vermont Catamounts. In their next game, the Cougars are the favorites, and Auburn's disrupted locker room could impact their performance on Saturday.
The Tigers have participated in 13 NCAA tournaments, and in their best season in 2019, they managed to reach the Final Four. With their locker room and flight issues, it seems like it will be a chaotic season for Auburn.