An Auckland premier football match turned ugly after a brawl erupted between spectators and players on the side of the pitch.

The match between Manukau United and Three Kings United at McLennan Park in the Northern Region Football League was abandoned on Wednesday night with six minutes to go.

Three Kings player Fabrizio Tavano was left injured and bloodied after the altercation.

Manukau were leading 3-2 when Tavano was sent off after an on-field scuffle with 10 minutes to go in the match.

The scuffle started when Manukau striker Sanni Issa was fouled by a Three Kings player which lead to a push and shove between players from both teams. A respresentative from Manukau United told the Herald Tavano came running in to get involved in the melee, which resulted in a number of players being booked. Tavano was shown a straight red card for hitting Issa, who was then pulled away by a substitue. in the aftermatch, while Manukau's Prince Quansah was shown a second yellow card for his part in the boil over.

The walk from the pitch to the changing rooms at McLennan Park is up a steep hill, and spectator footage showed Quansah offering a helping hand to an elderly man believed to be a relative of Tavano's.

Three Kings United player Fabrizio Tavano after an altercation with Manukau United fans. Photo / Twitter

His offer was brushed away, and statements collected by spectators said Tavano respponded by throwing a bottle at Quansah. The bottle missed, and instead hit spectators which ignited the brawl, Manukau United's representative said.

"It's a disgrace this sort of thing has happened."

Three Kings did not respond when contacted for comment.

NRFL competitions manager Terry Hobin attended the match and said it had to be abandoned due to safety concerns.

"Both the referee and myself felt that their safety was compromised because a confrontation has broken out between the players that have been sent off and some spectators."

Auckland Football Federation have begun investigation via the disciplinary process for the competition.

"There is a process to go through now," Hobin said.

"Once we get the referee's report and some other information we've requested, we will make a decision on Friday on whether the result stands and what other action will be taken, including referral to the Disciplinary Committee."