Re: Columbus, You Have a Problem

Paul — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 22:53:33 -0000

Regarding point #5, there is no "league wide ban". The day before the San Jose match, MLS issued the following statement:

"As a consequence of this review, MLS and its teams will take the following steps:

1. MLS and its clubs will undertake a comprehensive review of security measures in each MLS facility to ensure that sufficient measures are taken to prevent fans from throwing objects from the stands at players or officials on the field. Additionally, MLS teams and stadiums will fully communicate to all fans attending MLS games the League’s policy that spectators in breach will be ejected and prohibited from attending future games.

2. MLS has reviewed the increasingly coordinated use of streamers at some MLS stadiums to affect play, particularly as a distraction to visiting players as they attempt to take corner kicks. MLS teams will communicate to their supporter groups MLS’s existing policy – that streamers are not to be used to impact on-field competition or thrown toward a player, referee or stadium staff member. While the spontaneous use of streamers and confetti as an expression of fan enthusiasm will not be prohibited, the continued practice will be kept under review. Should issues continue regarding the use of streamers, MLS will have no option but to prohibit streamers.”

The following day, Crew fans, many of whom are quite young, showered Ronnie O'Brien with streamers in the corner just before halftime.

CSC staff immediately shepherded O'Brien away from the corner.

In short, streamers have not been banned, they had in fact been previously applauded in Toronto and Columbus, and it should be noted that the fans in the Nordecke are much closer to the field than those in Toronto.

Your suggestions that Crew management is to blame for a couple of racist fans or that their marketing poster was designed to incite reckless behavior are ludicrous.

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Re: Columbus, You Have a Problem