J .
06-06-2008, 10:57 PM
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080606.wspt-mls-streamers-06/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home
In Europe, soccer hooligans throw batteries, coins, darts and other objects to voice their displeasure. Toronto FC fans take note: MLS commissioner Don Garber is considering cracking down on streamer throwing at BMO Field and other stadiums around the league.
"Should problems continue to escalate regarding the use of, MLS will have no option but to prohibit the use of streamers at MLS games," Garber said in a statement on Friday (http://web.mlsnet.com/commissionerspeaks/)
"It has become apparent that the use of streamers has become an opportunity for home team fans targeting visiting team players, particularly during corner kicks. This has resulted in an unnecessary risk to player safety and negatively impacts the competition on the field."
The commissioner was reacting to incidents that occurred during a May 24th game in Columbus between the Crew and the New England Revolution, but the streamer problem is much worse in Toronto.
Garber's comments came in stark contrast to ones he made two weeks earlier after ESPN television pundit Michael Wilbon, co-host of Pardon the Interruption who called the practice "garbage" and "minor league".
On May 14, Garber defended the league's streamer throwing fans stating the MLS should "embrace the passion and electricity that makes soccer the world's most popular sport," so his comments on Friday were a slight reverse.
Toronto FC officials were not immediately available for comment after Garber's comments.
The team's fans are infamous for the custom and opposition players are often forced to pull away large tumbleweed size balls of wind blown streamers off the field and even themselves while preparing for corner kicks at the south end of the stadium where the Red Patch Boys supporters club sit.
"It [a ban] will happen - if not right now soon it's only a matter of time," said Toronto FC supporter David Bailey who sits in the south end section of BMO Field. "The boys have to be realistic about it. Streamers may not be the issue as such though. It is the allowance of the act of throwing objects. I've seen beer and food thrown at players - we all have seen it. We can't let that be seen as okay - as long as streamers are being thrown, it is much tougher to catch the perpetrators of the other stuff."
New York Red Bulls star Juan Pablo Angel was showered in beer last season after he celebrated his game winning goal against Toronto but stadium security staff quickly located several culprits and ejected them from the stadium.
In another incident last May, a seat cushion promotion by Toronto FC backfired when fans littered the field with the Frisbee shape devices, causing several stoppages in play and drawing the watchful eye of league officials who refused to fine the team but encouraged the team to monitor fan behavior in Toronto.
Toronto plays its next home game On Saturday June 14 when they host the Colorado Rapids at BMO Field.
In Europe, soccer hooligans throw batteries, coins, darts and other objects to voice their displeasure. Toronto FC fans take note: MLS commissioner Don Garber is considering cracking down on streamer throwing at BMO Field and other stadiums around the league.
"Should problems continue to escalate regarding the use of, MLS will have no option but to prohibit the use of streamers at MLS games," Garber said in a statement on Friday (http://web.mlsnet.com/commissionerspeaks/)
"It has become apparent that the use of streamers has become an opportunity for home team fans targeting visiting team players, particularly during corner kicks. This has resulted in an unnecessary risk to player safety and negatively impacts the competition on the field."
The commissioner was reacting to incidents that occurred during a May 24th game in Columbus between the Crew and the New England Revolution, but the streamer problem is much worse in Toronto.
Garber's comments came in stark contrast to ones he made two weeks earlier after ESPN television pundit Michael Wilbon, co-host of Pardon the Interruption who called the practice "garbage" and "minor league".
On May 14, Garber defended the league's streamer throwing fans stating the MLS should "embrace the passion and electricity that makes soccer the world's most popular sport," so his comments on Friday were a slight reverse.
Toronto FC officials were not immediately available for comment after Garber's comments.
The team's fans are infamous for the custom and opposition players are often forced to pull away large tumbleweed size balls of wind blown streamers off the field and even themselves while preparing for corner kicks at the south end of the stadium where the Red Patch Boys supporters club sit.
"It [a ban] will happen - if not right now soon it's only a matter of time," said Toronto FC supporter David Bailey who sits in the south end section of BMO Field. "The boys have to be realistic about it. Streamers may not be the issue as such though. It is the allowance of the act of throwing objects. I've seen beer and food thrown at players - we all have seen it. We can't let that be seen as okay - as long as streamers are being thrown, it is much tougher to catch the perpetrators of the other stuff."
New York Red Bulls star Juan Pablo Angel was showered in beer last season after he celebrated his game winning goal against Toronto but stadium security staff quickly located several culprits and ejected them from the stadium.
In another incident last May, a seat cushion promotion by Toronto FC backfired when fans littered the field with the Frisbee shape devices, causing several stoppages in play and drawing the watchful eye of league officials who refused to fine the team but encouraged the team to monitor fan behavior in Toronto.
Toronto plays its next home game On Saturday June 14 when they host the Colorado Rapids at BMO Field.