As you may have heard by now, things got a tad messy at the Columbus Crew-New England Revolution match. Some overzealous Crew fans, and some folks attending the game who don’t deserve the label of fans, decided it was a good idea to through foreign objects ranging from water bottles to a lit flare, at Revs players.
As much as I wish that was the extent of the ugliness, it wasn’t. One game attendee crossed the line of all human decency by dropping a racial slur at Revs forward Kheli Dube after he scored the eventual game-winning goal. here is the video (be warned, there is some adult language):
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weUIq7hzIDg&hl=en]
Needless to say, the "fan" who can be heard on this video clip is an idiot, but this moron’s ignorance should not be used to paint Columbus fans with a broad brush, or signal that there is now some larger problem at hand (though I’m sure the anti-soccer crowd is lining up to use this scene to portray everthing wrong with soccer).
What is definitely a problem is the league’s policy toward allowing fans to throw streamers on the field during the game. I was originally indifferent about it, and after spending time in the South End standing alongside Toronto FC fans as they threw streamers, I thought it was all pretty harmless and felt like it added a nice element to the game.
The problem is the line from harmless to harmful can easily be crossed once you allow it and once some out of control fans make the stupid decision to throw anything from coins to batteries to bottles. It is nearly impossible for stadium security to find those guilty of throwing the dangerous stuff when a showering of streamers is coming from the stands.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgUnOWzvQ_o&hl=en]
Watching Steve Ralston pick up a lit flare and toss it aside was interesting enough, but the shower of objects that weren’t streamers was definitely out of control and I can’t see how MLS isn’t going to revisit its policy.
I’m sure the one racial epithet dropped by one Crew fan will gain the attention, as it should because racism cannot be tolerated anywhere, but it is time for the league to re-think the streamers. As someone who was once pro-streamer, I don’t mind admitting I was wrong. It’s time for MLS officials to admit the same thing.
What do you think about the incidents at the Crew-Revs match? How do you feel about streamers? Is it time for them to be banned? Share your thoughts below.
Shows some integrity to admit if you think you were wrong Ives. I’m kind of torn..clearly the streamers interfere with the play but I also want MLS games to have more of an edge
“As a parent, I would not want to bring kids to a game where they are going to hear comments like that.”
The Nordecke does warn you that the language won’t be the cleanest before you get into that section. And aside from the big “you suck a$$**le” yell they give on free kicks, you don’t hear any specifics anywhere else on the field. Again, I was in the NW corner, they were in the NE corner, and while we could see the crap being thrown on the field, we couldn’t hear anything specific being yelled.
Hey Ives,
I was looking at the guy who posted this youtube video, and he was on the boards defending himself saying it was the guy behind him who was shouting the racism. So I decided to look in his “favourite videos” on youtube and came across one called “up yours N****r”
So my conclusion from this is either there was more than one racist in the crowd, or the guy who posted the video (gman8908 on youtube) is the punk who yelled these things.
This “stupid” incident at Columbus has nothing to do with streamers! I think you specifically refer to the Racial slur uttered by the village idiot in Columbus, and i also heard they were throwing objects of somekind at the players! Firstly the culprits that did that were just plain bigots and racists! We don’t have ANY problems even remotely close to what went down in Columbus!!! So this is NOT a streamer issue!!!
I’ve always been against streamers. I don’t think people should ever be allowed to throw anything at the playing surface.
Racism has no part in the sport (or any other sport). On the field, a player is not African, Mexican or Caucasian; he is a Rev, a Red Bull a Wizard, or whatever. You should look at the jersey only.
Likewise, throwing anything with the intent to strike or injure a player is wrong. The Players are the REASON FOR THE GAME. Injure the players and you ruin the game.
That being said, a healthy does of fan-on-fan hooliganism, in the European tradition, is good for the game. It stokes the rivalries that we need if the game is ever to grow in this country. So, I can overlook a little name calling and fighting if it helps in that regard. For instance, just last week I was walking out of TGI Fridays when I saw someone wearing an Arsenal jersey in the lobby. Being a die-hard ManU loyalist, I yelled “If you’re not a Manc, you’re a wank,” and proceeded to administer a savage beating of the Arsenal fan. I bet she won’t wear that jersey in public again.
The comments are horrifying in any event and must be stopped. As a parent, I would not want to bring kids to a game where they are going to hear comments like that.
Landis – watch the video….it’s pretty clear the guy screams the slur at joseph, who then turns around and gives the finger to the fan, who then starts screaming for a red card – in that order. Nice try.
Streamers are stupid. I thought it was stupid from the beginning.
Fans should not be allowed to enter the sphere of the field during the game. Throwing anything on the field shouldn’t happen. That is where the game is played, it wasn’t designed to be played with obstacles and crap on the field.
Fans should not be allowed to throw things are players. I don’t care if it is cotton balls.
Well, we finally got our “European atmosphere.”
Personally I couldn’t care less about the streamers but all of this other stuff needs to stop. If that means no streamers as well then so be it
The fans around the bigot should of shut him up…
We should not need MLS to come in and analyse Youtube footage. Did none of the other Crew fans around him think that what he said deserved to be checked?
PASOCCER,
I went to 6 EPL matches just this past March/April, and I didnt encounter any objects being thrown on the field or racial slurs. Plenty of fowl language mind you, but no batteries, streamer, or “N” words.
These guys are just a bunch of thugs, wannabe die-hards.
crew fans are now the scousers of the mls
I agree about both subjects, but everyone is acting like this is a “first”. This happens all over the world. While I DONT agree with it at all…I’m not sure many of us would be able to handle a match in England or Spain.
Hi Ives- good thoughts on Columbus. As a Crew fan, you generally piss me off about your Crew comments, but I pretty much agree with on this one. I like the streamer thing, I think it adds a good element to the game. However, what happened late in the second half at the match was uncalled for. I was sitting a section over from the fans throwing non-streamers at Ralston and was appauled. And while the racist comments, too, were uncalled for, I believe they happened after Shalrie Joseph game the crowd the finger.
I don’t mind streamers or something else that won’t cause injury if it makes contact, as long as it’s not during play. If it’s during a goal celebration or after the final whistle, that’s fine. What bothers me is anything that interferes with the actual game play. I think everyone here could see that this would get out of hand sooner or later.
I think it should be noted that the atmosphere at BMO-Field wasn’t created by throwing streamers, but by the stadium being packed by passionate chanting fans for every home game. Toronto has the same great atmosphere with or without streamers.
I was against the streamers when we discussed it after Ives’ trip to Toronto, and I’m even more against it now. There should not be anything thrown on the field during play – even if not harmful, it will affect the play. (I certainly do think, for example, that the streamers affect the opposition’s corner kicks in Toronto.)
As for the racism, I’m not sure what to do, other than find the fan and ban him. This type of thing happens in Europe, and they generally don’t empty the stadium from the rest of the fans simply because one fan is an ass.
I was against the streamers when we discussed it after Ives’ trip to Toronto, and I’m even more against it now. There should not be anything thrown on the field during play – even if not harmful, it will affect the play. (I certainly do think, for example, that the streamers affect the opposition’s corner kicks in Toronto.)
As for the racism, I’m not sure what to do, other than find the fan and ban him. This type of thing happens in Europe, and they generally don’t empty the stadium from the rest of the fans simply because one fan is an ass.
Ha, nice one SF.
From MLS Idiot/Commissioner Don Garber:
“We are investigating reports of incidents from the May 24 match between the Columbus Crew and New England Revolution and will take appropriate action based on our findings.”
Someone send him the youtube link, that’s all you need.
“MLS should make Columbus play their next home game in an empty stadium”
That’s not proper punishment since they do that most of the time anyway
Columbus once again proves to have the worst fans in MLS.
Personally, I love the streamers. I think they make for a great environment and should definitely stay. However, throwing other objects (bottles, batteries, etc.) is obviously unacceptable. Like in Europe, I think Columbus should be fined and forced to play behind closed doors if the actions continue.
As for the racism, it’s obviously unacceptable in any setting. I love fans who get passionate about the game and yell at opposing players, but clearly a line was crossed. If the fan can be identified, he should be banned from attending MLS matches. Hopefully the other fans in attendance let him know that his actions were unacceptable. Racism has long been a problem in European leagues, and they still have yet to find a solution. I don’t know how to stamp it out other than for the rest of the fans to take a stand and not allow for anyone to use racial slurs in the stadium.
I have always been against the streamers. It makes MLS look minor league and unorganized, not only compared to the rest of the American sports leagues, but compared to soccer leagues around the world also. I just love how classy the European stadia around the world look. There is nothing on the playing surface…confetti, streamers, etc. but those places still have great atmosphere. You don’t need to throw stuff onto the field in order to create atmosphere. How about singing and chanting loud! I hate the streamers and wish they were outlawed long before it got out of hand, which of course, it predictably did.
re: Racism…just despicable.
It’s kind of interesting that the MLS is basically becoming the NHL. It gets no attention unless the news is extremely outlandish and negative. We’ll definitely be hearing about this stuff on ESPN now if it hasn’t already been reported.
Well seeing how this all came from the supporters section, simply close the whole section for a game.
Don’t sell tickets to that section for the next home game, and those already having tickets in that section lose ’em.
The next time this crap happens, close the section for 2 games.
Oh, and its not streamers that are the problem, its people throwing other objects. Self policing, especially if you start costing the “good” fans the chance to see games will solve that problem in a hurry.
Well seeing how this all came from the supporters section, simply close the whole section for a game.
Don’t sell tickets to that section for the next home game, and those already having tickets in that section lose ’em.
The next time this crap happens, close the section for 2 games.
Oh, and its not streamers that are the problem, its people throwing other objects. Self policing, especially if you start costing the “good” fans the chance to see games will solve that problem in a hurry.
Here’s another question: How will the league handle the discipline or sanction of Shalerie Joseph’s middle-finger-salute to the Crew suppporter section, his reaction to just having had the N-bomb hurled at him?
The league will make a serious mistake if the only material consequences fall upon Joseph.
No idea…even with the throwing of items at Giants stadium–something that was quickly stopped by Toronto fans and players–I look at BMO as the near-perfect MLS environment. I have to be honest, the streamers get to me, but only as a fan. It’s more jealousy than the fact that I think they are harmful.
This Columbus B.S. needs to be nipped in the bud, but I really hope it doesn’t effect the situation in Toronto. As a fan of the league, that is exactly what we need.
First off racism should not be tolerated. MLS should hammer the fan and Columbus for that (not sweep it under the rug like they usually do). I am curious to see what MLS does about the Revs celebrating in front of the Crew’s fan section. That seems unsportsman-like and apparently un-safe as well.
Kpugs… thanks. Oh, I just reread the article and noticed that Yves said “water bottles.” I retract my point about beer bottles. (and apologize to Crew stadium?)
Anyways, one thought that occurred to me is that all of the corners at BMO field are held by either supporters groups or seasons ticket holders (one of the nice parts about your stadium being 75% seasons ticket holders). I wonder if Toronto fans don’t get involved with this because the stadium knows exactly who is sitting in those seats? Anonymity can be poisonous in a crowd.
I think the throwing of streamers (or heck, TFC seat cushions for those who saw that game) should be restricted to times when it does not interfere with the run of play – introductions, goals, halftime, red cards – when the ball is stopped, and there’s no reasonable opportunity for a quick-kick play (like there is on most corner kicks).
Now, to be fair, no one is throwing bags of urine at people either, and streamers aren’t all that harmful in the long run, but it doesn’t take much to go from streamers to something stupid.
I was sitting in the corner across from the Nordecke at the Crew-Revs game, and as soon as the goal was scored, and the bottles started flying, we looked at each other and said “what a bunch of idiots” and shook our heads in disgust.
Oh…and with this caught on video, MLS should make Columbus play their next home game in an empty stadium,and fine them. It’s caught on video…no reason for them not to be heavily punished for their fans actions. It happens in Europe (albeit pathetically so in some countries, yes Spain I’m talking to you).
One thing we have always had on the Euro leagues here in the MLS is our lack of voiced racism and lack of violence. Hopefully this type of thing doesn’t become a trend. Soccer, while more important than most things, is no excuse for violence nor racism.
P.S. Bangers…I haven’t been to Columbus so I can’t speak for the stadium there, but our stadium sells plastic bottles, basically to prevent injury from anyone who might get hit with one, as well as cups depending on which brew you’re buying. But I digress…you have some good points in there.
What boggles my mind is that the you tuber posted this because he was PROUD of their actions.
He didn’t care that they lost, he was proud of how they treated the Revs players. I hate the Revs…but come on now. I’d rather cheer for a team I hate than act like this. I thought I was shamed by the Fire this weekend, this makes me feel even worse as a fan of the game and this league.
Thanks, Ives, for not only reminding us that there’s no excuse for hurling racist epithets, but for also cautioning everybody against painting ALL Crew fans with a broad brush based on one #$%^&’s actions.
Let’s hope the Crew is dealing with the matter appropriately, and that steps are being taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen again.
You know a few weeks ago I was watching PTI on ESPN and the guys were talking about ho bush league it was for fans to throw streamers down at the field and how confetti littering the field after a home game was a joke. I remember wanting to tell them to shut their yappers because it’s all in good fun, the streamers the confetti, we in the US need something that catches the attention of Average Joe i.e. basketball, baseball, and football fans. Now I feel as if I’ve been made to tuck my tail between my legs and admit defeat.
Unfortunately racism, as ugly as it is, still exists in the world. I think that the MLS has to take an extremely firm stance against this and punish the Crew for the actions of their fans. At the very least he should be banned for th rest of the season.
Yves, I see where you’re coming from but the problem isn’t the streamers. Its batteries, bottles and objects that are thrown with the intent of causing bodily harm. Most jurisdictions have laws against this sort of malicious behaviour. Usually filed under “intent to cause bodily harm.” Acts of racial abuse are likewise considered to be civil offences in many parts of North America.
A streamer doesn’t fit into this group. Both the battery and bottle throwers and the racist chants should have been snuffed out by the crowd, security or the cops. Now I’d hope these fine specimens of humanity are investigated by the police.
The streamer issue is boring, and we all know what non TFC supporters are going to say about it. Streamers are, at worst, a distraction. As bad as thundersticks at a basketball or NFL game. But they’re not the same as as batteries, bottles, hand grenades and throwing stars. You might try to argue that streamers are a “gateway drug” to harder more nefarious things but there’s been more than a year of streamers at BMO field without incident. Streamers weren’t the problem.
Should the MLS investigate this and lay down policy on it? No. Should the regular supporters who sit near the field take more responsibility for those around them? Yes. Self-policing is common in BMOs south end.
Oh, and while we’re at it, what kind of stadium sells bottled beer? Plastic cups, geniuses. And while I’m at it, does Kheli Dube deserve an apology from Crew supporters? Yes. Most certainly.
Oddly, it is the actions of a few Crew “fans,” — nah… attendees who probably had little to do with the Crew or its fans — that is going to cost TFC fans their harmless, colourful calling card.
Funny… I thought Crew fans used to make fun of TFC fans and put them down… And yet, here they are copying those same fans by throwing streamers? Right!
I think that alone goes a long way into showing their level or reasoning…
Beyond the racist stuff (which is completely ignorant, sad, and unacceptable), the image of Ralston picking up the lit flair is messed up. I hope Garber sees that video.
Ives, I read your interview about how you got into reporting on soccer. You stated that “there is no such thing as bad press” for the MLS. I was wondering if this counts as bad press?
I love to see the passion, but WTF? When did these idiots think it was acceptable to throw anything on the field, much less the ignorant racial slur that is is completely intolerable.
I think Columbus needs to take action as well as the League. These MLS clubs have been treating these supporters clubs with kid gloves. They need to quickly address this issue and punish people guilty. Somehow, I am not that hopeful that any of these clubs will do anything until something much worse happens. I hope not, but that’s what i think will happen.
Well Garber has at least noted the situation:
http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20080527&content_id=161211&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp
Columbus fans have had issues in the past. Didn’t they used to have a guy on a megaphone that shouted obsenities?
i agree ives. streamers add to the atmosphere, but this world is littered with too many idiots that take things like this too far. mls should change their policy, which will be a tough thing to do after garber’s recent blog rant.
anyone caught spewing racist slurs should be immediately tossed from any game and banned from the stadium. period.
Ives-
Pls remember that when RBNY played TFC, some TFC fans threw objects onto the field at both JPA and Jozy during two different games. And then there was the whole seat-cusion thing.
The racial thing is beyond infuriating. We, as fans of MLS, should bear in mind that slurs are also hurled at players of Spanish descent (mostly Mexican). That should be looked at seriously as well.
Someone is always going to up the ante and the MLS needs to step in now. The fans got the ok from the league to throw streamers, but now we get bottles (empty or full), flares etc. It will only continue to escalate unless the league steps in. And are the supporters groups really going to care that they cannot throw streamers at opposing players? I don’t think so.
Re: the racist comment made by that one fan – you got caught on tape and you should get your a lifetime-ban from your club.
Well over on Goff’s board the discussion about this has gotten completely out of hand. Once the streamers are being thrown at a player, I think they are bad news, they have a place as part of a celebration but deeming it okay to use a player as a target leads those participating down the path of throwing other things at the players.
The troubled man who felt the need to hurl racist remarks at an African player can not be defended even though there have been some on Goff’s blog attempting to do just that. The MLS needs to take action and set a precedent. I don’t know what that act should be but it needs to be substantial.
I think it was someone flaming on Goff’s board but he was saying he forwarded the story to Jim Rome. If that’s true, we’re screwed, he’s going to take that story and run with it.
re: streamers. Told you so. I don’t understand how anyone can say that this does not constitute interfering with the match and is against the spirit of fair play. Garber should be criticized for encouraging this nonsense. If people want throw streamers, let them do it when the players march out or after a goal, not on corner kicks and the like. A clear warning at the beginning of the match about what is acceptable and what is not should do the trick.
As for the racist stuff, the league needs to find this idiot and come down hard on him.