Chicago Fire has confirmed an altercation between coach Denis Hamlett and defender Bakary Soumare did occur, reports the Southtown Star.

The incident happened at half-time of the 3-2 loss to Houston Dynamo on August 9 which led to Soumare being substituted.

A source admitted that Hamlett and Soumare were involved in a heated exchange that became physical but neither person was injured.

"It was more than an argument," the source said. "There was a physical altercation, and the team had to deal with it quickly and assess a fine."

Fire technical director Frank Klopas also gave his account of the incident but said all parties involved had since moved on.

"The locker room can get heated and we bring a lot of passion to our game days. Even when this happens, a line cannot be crossed," Klopas said in a statement.

"The team has moved past this incident regarding Denis and Bakary and our focus remains on bringing the MLS Cup back to Chicago this season."