Kicking out at hooliganism

[Bluenose13]

Kicking out at hooliganism

BMO Field's recent post-game fan violence raises concerns


Inside the stadium they were throwing beers, while outside they were throwing fists.
Questions are now being raised about the security at BMO Field and the antics of some of Toronto FC's notoriously rowdy fans after a visiting group of Columbus Crew supporters were led by security guards straight into a pack of brawler TFC fans, according to Crew and TFC fans who were there.
Instead of handshakes and hellos, the two groups traded insults, punches and kicks after the 1-1 draw at last Saturday's Major League Soccer match.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2008/09/21/6829416-sun.html

[CoachGT]

I'm still somewhat amazed at the perception of hooliganism in football here in North America.

After years involved with hockey and other sports, the thing I don't get is why this concept is directed specifically at soccer. Passionate fans do not necessarily equal hooliganism. Fighting in the stands at hockey games, even minor league games, has been very well documented over the years. This year, there were incidents at Jays games, as there have been many times over the years, but this year got a little more press. Incidents in Montreal after a hockey game. I seem to recall a documentary where the Boston Bruins gave an estimate of damage to the Boston Garden that was reasonably accurate, with different numbers depending upon when the Bruins won or lost. Basketball has had incidents as well. Go to a high school football (pointy-ball) game and see if anything breaks out between the fans of the two schools - probably taunting and yelling, and perhaps a little scuffle. This is nothing new in North America, but because of the reputation of hooliganism in football elsewhere in the world, people are looking for it here.

You'd be hard pressed in olden days (40s through the 70s) to put a group of Montreal Canadiens supporters into a Leaf section at MLG, or the reverse at the Forum. You knew if would end up in a fight because passions run high. That will happen at any sporting event, not just football.

The people I know at Red patch, U Sector, TRN and NEE are generally good people - I'm quite happy to be associated with them. But the actions of a handful of individuals, usually after a few pints, spoil it for many others. I've been on several road trips this year and plan on many more going forward. The experiences have been good. You still have to use a little common sense at times, know when to stay away from possible trouble, and every now and again somebody goes over the top, but things have been very good.

It would be nice for the press to put this into context against other sports.

Just because I'm a passionate fan doesn't mean I'm a hooligan.

[rocker]

last night in the Saskatchewan CFL game shitloads of fans were tossing beers and other stuff at the opposition when a ref's call went against them.

[sulfur]

That's expected in Throwball though. :P

[Detroit_TFC]

The thread running through accounts of various incidents this year has been the poor/incorrect actions of the stadium security. The league and the individual teams need to get their head out of their ass and stop pretending MLS is at the same level it was ten years ago.

[Shaughno]

That's expected in Throwball though. :P


Seriously though that's the point. It happens elsewhere, some instances much worse, yet still we're being singled out and why?

I think it's a major public perception, in the US and Canada, that football's fans are bad, drunk hooligans. They are the only people who watch and or care about soccer. Good luck changing that though. It's a relatively new sport to the general public and it's considered foreign at the same time. It seems to stand true that the sports fans in the US don't take kindly to new things or changes for the most part. Until the USMNT starts enjoying some form of success which in turn boosts the recognition of both the team and the sport, I don't think you'll see any change in how the game and it's fans are percieved.

That's what I see anyway.

[Shaughno]

The thread running through accounts of various incidents this year has been the poor/incorrect actions of the stadium security. The league and the individual teams need to get their head out of their ass and stop pretending MLS is at the same level it was ten years ago.

I agree wholeheartedly. Some of their actions have been quite scary to think how much worse some situations could have escalated to. They need proper training on how to deal with situations properly and not just 'tossing' random people out. It has been proved around Europe that you can keep a lid on it for the most part, as long as you put the effort into maintaining that safety then you limit any problems in the first place.

Things like separating fans and escorting fans in/out at appropriate times is the most basic of their jobs. If they can't handle those right, how can they be trusted for when shit actually does happen... and given how shit they've been lately, who's to say it won't be allowed to get to that level?

Remove the contact between those fans and you remove the situation completely, at least on your property which is all they care about.

[Parkdale]

I think that the sport gets a bad wrap because in other parts of the world, it's organized violence and run like a gang. People who get in fights after hockey games, for the most part, didn't wake up that morning expecting to be in a physical confrontation - it just escalates, usually after having too many beers. Proper 'hooligans' walk into the game knowing that there is more than just the outcome of the match at stake.

personally.... It would be bad enough to have your team loose. I wouldn't want a black eye to tack on to the weekend.

[v00d00daddy]

Let me get this straight. You guys read that article and the first reaction you have is:

"Why are the picking on us? We're not the only people who do it"

Seriously? You guys are going to be the reason that nets go up and that the security are gonna be EVEN BIGGER dicks from now on.

The actual behaviour (throwing beers, and waiting for rival fans outside the gate) is really stupid. The only thing more stupid is not publically condeming it.

RPB and every other supporters group should be taking an extra hard stance against this shit. You know why? Because if they don't, they're gonna be the ones blamed for it. Right or wrong, that's what's gonna happen. I can't believe you guys don't see that.

And by extra hard stance I mean this:

I am positive that out of the 400+ RPB's and however many Usector people were in the southeast corner on Saturday, there must have been a few who saw the people throwing shit. I'll even go one step futher and say that there are probably people on this board who threw shit, or know people who did. Step up and do the right thing. You know what it is. Show that you REALLY won't tolerate this stuff.

[flatpicker]

^ didn't you read the article???

it had direct quotes from our RPB prez, Jack, condemning the stupidity of those who threw beers.


Observers on all sides of the issue acknowledge the majority of Toronto FC fans are well-behaved and that the game atmosphere is invariably safe.
Still, the fans don't want objects tossed on the field or fights erupting inside or outside the stadium, DePoe said.
"It's pretty ridiculous to go the game, get drunk, and throw things at the players on the field," DePoe said.
"That's not why we go to the game. We go there to support our team. Yes, we're loud, yes, we're rowdy, yes, we swear. We're not choirboys out there. But when you do something like that, it can hurt your team. It's not cool to throw beer on the field.
"And ... why would you throw a $13 beer at somebody anyway?"

[ricciboy]

wasnt it U sector fans who started the fight outside

[v00d00daddy]

^ didn't you read the article???

it had direct quotes from our RPB prez, Jack, condemning the stupidity of those who threw beers.

I read it. Why isn't Jack saying, people who throw stuff should be banned. Why isn't he saying that RPB had nothing to do with the behaviour that was shown last weekend?

His comments were generic and predictable. I'm saying that a guy like Jack is in a very good position to use this time to TOTALLY CONDEMN the actions.

It's not good enough for him to say:
"And ... why would you throw a $13 beer at somebody anyway?"

It kinda makes light of the subject, no?

[The Kingpin]

SPECTACULAR!! I always wanted to be a Hooligan, I missed out on the mid-80's violence in England so now when I return home I can be part of a Toronto Firm. Marc is a complete prat and has not been able to control anything since day one. I remember getting manhandled by security during the first game ever and they were after someone else. We warned them about security over and over last year and nothing happened. Marc has failed the stadium and the fans of this team. And for him to show his ignorance in this article is perfection, I hope his bosses are taking notice. He has zero control of the people working for him.

And this is the best!: The post-game fracas has Toronto Police vowing to crack down on "European-style soccer hooliganism" before it can gain a foothold here. So, the metro police are on top of things again. Good job metro, dropping the ball since 1834.

[The Kingpin]

I read it. Why isn't Jack saying, people who throw stuff should be banned. Why isn't he saying that RPB had nothing to do with the behaviour that was shown last weekend?

His comments were generic and predictable. I'm saying that a guy like Jack is in a very good position to use this time to TOTALLY CONDEMN the actions.

It's not good enough for him to say:
"And ... why would you throw a $13 beer at somebody anyway?"

It kinda makes light of the subject, no?

RPB's were involved in the incident from all accounts. This has been handled as far as I understand. Kick back, this is a poorly written and researched article. It will woft away like a gaseous state in the wind.

[Rudi]

wasnt it U sector fans who started the fight outside
No.

Don't believe everything you see on YouTube.

[JDG]

I read it. Why isn't Jack saying, people who throw stuff should be banned. Why isn't he saying that RPB had nothing to do with the behaviour that was shown last weekend?

His comments were generic and predictable. I'm saying that a guy like Jack is in a very good position to use this time to TOTALLY CONDEMN the actions.

It's not good enough for him to say:
"And ... why would you throw a $13 beer at somebody anyway?"

It kinda makes light of the subject, no?

The matter has been seriously discussed by our Leadership, and Members.

We have identified one of the Beer-throwers, and he has been dealt with.

The Red Patch Boys have publicly and privately condemned this type of activity.

You don't read what goes on in the Members area, so you can't know what we are or aren't doing, so when you say that we are doing nothing, you are talking about something of which you have no knowledge.

The actions that you call for have been discussed, but since you are not privy to those discussion, you don't yet know what the outcome was.

[Jack]

I read it. Why isn't Jack saying, people who throw stuff should be banned. Why isn't he saying that RPB had nothing to do with the behaviour that was shown last weekend?

His comments were generic and predictable. I'm saying that a guy like Jack is in a very good position to use this time to TOTALLY CONDEMN the actions.

It's not good enough for him to say:
"And ... why would you throw a $13 beer at somebody anyway?"

It kinda makes light of the subject, no?
Because out of the 20 minute conversation I had on the phone with the reporter, those are the statements he decided to quote.

I said a lot of things that didn't make it into the article. That happens all the time.

[CoachGT]

Let me get this straight. You guys read that article and the first reaction you have is:

"Why are the picking on us? We're not the only people who do it"

That wasn't the point of my comment above. It happens in hockey, it happens in basketball, it happens in all sports, not just football. Because it has been a problem in football elsewhere, it is automatically assumed to be here. That's wrong.

I've posted before and still maintain the belief that the supporters groups are opposed to anything impairing a game. No batteries thrown, no corn cobs, nothing! No running onto the pitch, no wasting beer (unless it is a goal celebration - our goal!). Even the streamers have cut down, and I don't think that there is any concern over injury from streamers! Enough has been said about this in other threads throughout the year. I didn't think it had to be said again! I don't believe that any of the supporters groups condone this stuff - if they do then there is a problem! But from what I've seen this year any incident has been a result of a few prats who have probably had too much to drink rather than the actions of true supporters.

I know that some of the RPB guys actively worked to diffuse the things that happened last weekend, and I would suspect that people from the other supporters groups did, too.

If this is news, then it should be reported whenever it happens - in hockey rinks, at baseball diamonds, at high school pointy ball games, hell, probably even at bingo halls. You can't tell me this sort of thing doesn't happen all of the time at US college sports games! But it shouldn't be a story just because it happens at a soccer game.

[eustacchio]

those are the statements he decided to quote.

I said a lot of things that didn't make it into the article. That happens all the time.

I was just going to say the same thing.

It's really easy to fit quotes to the story you want to write.

also...note the ellipsis

[v00d00daddy]

Because out of the 20 minute conversation I had on the phone with the reporter, those are the statements he decided to quote.

I said a lot of things that didn't make it into the article. That happens all the time.

I thought that might have been the case. Fair enough.

[v00d00daddy]

The matter has been seriously discussed by our Leadership, and Members.

We have identified one of the Beer-throwers, and he has been dealt with.

The Red Patch Boys have publicly and privately condemned this type of activity.

You don't read what goes on in the Members area, so you can't know what we are or aren't doing, so when you say that we are doing nothing, you are talking about something of which you have no knowledge.

The actions that you call for have been discussed, but since you are not privy to those discussion, you don't yet know what the outcome was.

It's good that you guys are taking care of things in house. I never said you were doing nothing. I just think there needs to be a more vocal condemnation of the event of last weekend. Instead, you guys decide to talk about the unfair treatement that soccer gets in the media.

Get your priorites straight. Stop complaining about the medias portrayal of soccer and its supporters. It is not the topic at hand right now. There are much more important things than that.

Nobody wants to watch the game from the south stand through a net.

[Toronto_Bhoy]

wasnt it U sector fans who started the fight outside

What's a U Sector fan?

[Angelo1405]

any help on starting the video ? the commercial ends and it just says "loading"...

[eustacchio]

any help on starting the video ? the commercial ends and it just says "loading"...

Try the "low" video

[Angelo1405]

Try the "low" video

not working....thanks anyway.

[J .]

Jack said the right things. Throwing beer onto the field is not a wise thing to do. It is a waste of money and is silly stupid business. What more vocal condemnation do some people want? The President said the right stuff. It is wrong but we are not choirboys either. The line should be drawn on throwing stuff onto the field that could hurt the players.

The best thing to do and it works for me, is having good friends there to simmer you down. There really is no need to fight and if anyone knows, I have given up on trying to break fights up, so if you do get into one, don't look to me to help.

Ejection is a fine solution, but more importantly a good scolding from your fellow supporters works better. People shouldn't be punished forever for being stupid. Ive seen people throw beers onto the field in a fit of passion and later regret it, doesn't make them any less a dedicated supporter, regardless of what people here think.

If you have beer to throw onto the field, you probably don't need to have another. Friends don't let friends drink and throw beer onto the field.

[Shakes McQueen]

This year, there were incidents at Jays games, as there have been many times over the years, but this year got a little more press.

Oh man, you guys have no idea.

I went to the Jays home opener this year (against the Red Sox), and there was:

- Four fist fights around our area of the stadium alone
- Two streakers
- Three girls in our area flashed the crowd
- They gave everyone towels before the game, and pretty much every single one of them got thrown on the field - to the point where they had to stop the game to pick them all up around the 7th inning.

Watched the highlights, and there was no mention of anything that happened. Same with the news media that week.

Soccer fans have a bad rap for being hooligans, because of the crazy imagery people see of football riots overseas - flares, smoke bombs, riot police, huge fist fights, etc.

By contrast, if 2-3 people get arrested after a TFC match, it's a topic of interest here for weeks. :D

- Scott

[The Kingpin]

Oh man, you guys have no idea.

I went to the Jays home opener this year (against the Red Sox), and there was:

- Four fist fights around our area of the stadium alone
- Two streakers
- Three girls in our area flashed the crowd
- They gave everyone towels before the game, and pretty much every single one of them got thrown on the field - to the point where they had to stop the game to pick them all up around the 7th inning.

Watched the highlights, and there was no mention of anything that happened. Same with the news media that week.

Soccer fans have a bad rap for being hooligans, because of the crazy imagery people see of football riots overseas - flares, smoke bombs, riot police, huge fist fights, etc.

By contrast, if 2-3 people get arrested after a TFC match, it's a topic of interest here for weeks. :D

- Scott

We are the curators of our own demise. Every incident is played out on Red Patch forms of communication for all to see. Jack can attempt to placate the potential situation all he wants but not everyone is under control. There is a desire for this type of violence to happen as it is the new application that media elements use to propose why TFC will be a failure. The pundit crew have failed miserably in their attempt to predict the overall failure, so they are grasping at straws and we hand them the long one every time. Our ability to manage our own PR is limited as these forums serve as the voice and unfortunately our moderators are either under-equipped or over worked. Certain posters are allowed to post inflammatory messaging under the guise of "free speech", well this is not a "free speech" element, it is a privileged members group and should be treated that way. If you are a complete prat, say goodbye. Just some thoughts anyway.

[Boris]

Because out of the 20 minute conversation I had on the phone with the reporter, those are the statements he decided to quote.

I said a lot of things that didn't make it into the article. That happens all the time.

same here jack. What gets me is that the article was started the same day we raised over $8,000 for charity but you never saw any of that make the print. I should have known when i was asked about the columbus bus being there...He tried so hard swaying things in his favour.

[Parkdale]

anyone pick up the print copy of the Sun yesterday?

There's a great shot of flush, and a sidebar of my video with the mayor.
The article with it is faulting David Miller for saying 'I built the stadium'.
The sun always tends to focus on the negative, which I guess happens
when you're entire point of being is to sell used cars and follow the Leafs.

On the upside, they were the only paper to ask before using my video.

[flatpicker]

^ nice to know the Sun is both sensationalist and considerate.

[Barbarez]

anyone pick up the print copy of the Sun yesterday?

There's a great shot of flush, and a sidebar of my video with the mayor.
The article with it is faulting David Miller for saying 'I built the stadium'.
The sun always tends to focus on the negative, which I guess happens
when you're entire point of being is to sell used cars and follow the Leafs.

On the upside, they were the only paper to ask before using my video.

Despite all this, you still let em use your video??

[Boris]

anyone pick up the print copy of the Sun yesterday?

There's a great shot of flush, and a sidebar of my video with the mayor.
The article with it is faulting David Miller for saying 'I built the stadium'.
The sun always tends to focus on the negative, which I guess happens
when you're entire point of being is to sell used cars and follow the Leafs.

On the upside, they were the only paper to ask before using my video.

matty showed to me at shoeless last night. I was fuming to say the least.

[Parkdale]

Despite all this, you still let em use your video??

they asked first without telling me what the article would be about.
I figured it would be more of the David Miller - Real Grass talk,
so that's the kind of thing that I'm happy to support.

Next time... I'll be more selective.

[nimamalek]

I think the frustration everyone is feeling because of our shit season has a lot to do with this. When you've won a single game in a couple of month fans start getting pissed, add to that the fact that it was raining and lots of drinking going on and here we are.

[VoxPopuliCosmicum]

The article is a sensationalist, shitty, barrel-sucking piece of tabloid trash. One should expect no better from the Sun, which has established itself as Canada's leading sensationalist, shitty, barrel-sucking tabloid.

To my knowledge, nobody on this forum has expressed an opinion in favour of throwing objects on the pitch or engaging in violence with other teams' supporters. A number of people in this forum took affirmative steps to prevent items being thrown on the field. Others took affirmative steps to prevent violence. In many cases, the authorities (BMO security) had to be coerced into accepting the assistance of these good samaritans.

I understand that the reality of this situation may not be as important as the perception, in terms of determining what consequences will arise. What that means is there's not much any of us can do about it. No matter how much we "rat out" people who throw stuff on the pitch, no matter how many of us act as peacemakers -- the end result will be that even the slightest hint of violence will be held up by the Police and its National Putz / Toronto Sun echo chamber as evidence of rampant hooliganism.

[CoachGT]

^^ Well said!

[Boris]

once again...what gets me the more i think about is that the douche of a journalist told me he was writing a story for the headshave. What a guy...

[AL-MO]

once again...what gets me the more i think about is that the douche of a journalist told me he was writing a story for the headshave. What a guy...

Are you talking about the video at the side of the article?

Its weird that they would highlight our support, then basically condemn it because of so called 'Soccer Hoologanism' right next to it.

[Boris]

Are you talking about the video at the side of the article?

Its weird that they would highlight our support, then basically condemn it because of so called 'Soccer Hoologanism' right next to it.

thats what i said last night...

[Roogsy]

It's good that you guys are taking care of things in house. I never said you were doing nothing. I just think there needs to be a more vocal condemnation of the event of last weekend. Instead, you guys decide to talk about the unfair treatement that soccer gets in the media.

Did you even read the thread that went into the dozens of pages where every single RPB condemned the beer-throwing? What the hell do you want? And then you go off and say WE are the reason there are going to be nets in the south stands?

The members have had their say and it was almost if not completely unanimous that throwing anything on to the pitch was not cool. Now we are commenting about how the police don't know what they are doing, but you go off and say we should concentrating on the beer throwing? Other than the very public condemnation, what else do you want from us?

Seriously...I am starting to agree with Flush...this board needs to become private. :rolleyes:

[Brett]

Hello. This is Brett Clarkson. I wrote the story in the Sunday Sun.

I am open to any and all discussion and/or criticism.

I should say that I stand by the story as a fair depiction of what is happening at BMO Field. I was careful to say this is the fault of only some fans and that everybody knows this isn't the majority of TFC fans, who are well behaved. But still, it isn't constructive to ignore reality. When problems get ignored, they grow bigger.

To BR Aguilar, who I met, I'm sorry you think I'm a douche. I strongly contest your choice of words there. Just like you probably contest my choice of words. But let's face it, the beer-throwing was becoming an issue at BMO Field. As for the fighting, if anybody here is upset that I drew attention to it by writing about it, perhaps they should consider the real source of the problem — the people who are fighting. From my point of view, this is something that needs to be addressed. I should say here that I am a season ticket holder at BMO.

I must say I regret the fact the story strayed away from the headshave towards something more negative. I would be happy to write something more positive involving RPB in future.... or you can tell me to fuck off... no harm.

But I firmly believe that if there is some constructive resolution to the beer-throwing, etc., then it's only going to come from public pressure being put on TFC, BMO Field, and MLS. If they decide to put a net up behind the south-end goal, there will be a flood of outrage.

The question at that point would be, why should all of the fans be forced to watch the game through a net just because security didn't do their job in the first place? None of this would be a problem if security dealt with these situations properly.

Anyway, cheers, and thanks.

[Roogsy]

But your story strays from the security issue on to concentrate on the fans. And having mentioned the supporters groups, it automatically implies that WE are the ones responsible for the beer-throwing when in fact, we are the ones actually doing something to stop it. Your story says nothing about our efforts in that regard. If you want to receive credit where you think it's due, then you have to give it where it's due.

Point is...if you want our cooperation in the future, at the very least you could be is fair. In even remotely insinuating that our members were the ones throwing things (which wasn't the case, our membership has already investigated this issue) our reputations are tarnished.

If you won't differentiate between the supporters and the regular fans when it comes to the bad things happening at BMO Field, then you indeed have not done your job my friend. And the membership won't forget that. I know I certainly won't.

And I agree with Boris. What you did to him was a very douchey thing to do. If your story went in a different direction, then you should have excluded him or at least let him know.

[J .]

How come the Sun has never written about when police go overboard?

[Roogsy]

How come the Sun has never written about when police go overboard?

Toronto Sun loves the cops, their articles are never objective.

Toronto Star hates the cops, their articles are never objective either but from the opposite point of view.

[LucaGol]

How come the Sun has never written about when police go overboard?

Um ... cause its the Sun. Journalistic integrity is an afterthought.

[LucaGol]

Toronto Sun loves the cops, their articles are never objective.

Toronto Star hates the cops, their articles are never objective either but from the opposite point of view.

Where's the paper that appreciates the difficult jobs that police officers have to do by often putting their own lives at risk, when its called for .... and conversely detests police corruption and abuse of power, when its called for?

[VoxPopuliCosmicum]

Where's the paper that appreciates the difficult jobs that police officers have to do by often putting their own lives at risk, when its called for .... and conversely detests police corruption and abuse of power, when its called for?

I don't know, but I'll bet you even money that when it finally comes into existence it will be delivered by a team of leprechauns who ride unicorns.

[ricciboy]

im in the video sweett

[Dirk Diggler]

I don't know, but I'll bet you even money that when it finally comes into existence it will be delivered by a team of leprechauns who ride unicorns.

The Dublin Times?

[joga]

i still can't see how some of you don't see the point voodoo is tying to make...

all i can say is, if i see someone in my section or in my eye-site throw a beer or anything that isn't a streamer, or see a bunch of goons take a visitors scarf or start a fight, i will make sure to deal with that person myself. let them know they're gonna ruin it for everyone. all of us. RBP, USECTOR, all of us TFC season ticket holders, a ticket holder.

i didn't read that article and see it as an attack on the game i love. or an attack on a specific supporters group.. i read it as, we gotta stop this BS before we can't have a beer at the game.

we gotta police ourself or they're gonna police us.
i don't EVER wanna stand the south end with a net and/or NO beer.. please make sure you do the same. see something, let them know its fucking wrong!

[joga]

The members have had their say and it was almost if not completely unanimous that throwing anything on to the pitch was not cool. Now we are commenting about how the police don't know what they are doing, but you go off and say we should concentrating on the beer throwing? Other than the very public condemnation, what else do you want from us?


how about if you see it. stop it.
you guys have numbers on your side. the club loves you. the major loves you. use your size to make sure this doesn't continue to happen.

don't you see how a supporters club works... or can work if you work with the system. don't take any of this an attack on your sport, your club (and by this i mean the media portrayal).

you can't only hold closed door meetings, you gotta stop it while its happening.. i hope i don't see someone in 115 throw something on the pitch. they'll know i wont have it, and i know i;ll be backed up by other follow 115ers.

thats how you stop this SB!

[Roogsy]

how about if you see it. stop it.
you guys have numbers on your side. the club loves you. the major loves you. use your size to make sure this doesn't continue to happen.

don't you see how a supporters club works... or can work if you work with the system. don't take any of this an attack on your sport, your club (and by this i mean the media portrayal).

you can't only hold closed door meetings, you gotta stop it while its happening.. i hope i don't see someone in 115 throw something on the pitch. they'll know i wont have it, and i know i;ll be backed up by other follow 115ers.

thats how you stop this SB!

Um...that is exactly what happened. When it started, Jack turned around and was begging people to stop but he couldn't tell who. And the rest of us followed suit. If the guys facing the stands couldn't see who it was, how do you expect the guys who have our backs to these douchebags to know who it was? The few who were identified were only identified well after the fact.

Holy shit. How about you read through the posts before making an uninformed post?

I love all this armchair quarterbacking.

[joga]

Um...that is exactly what happened. When it started, Jack turned around and was begging people to stop but he couldn't tell who. And the rest of us followed suit. If the guys facing the stands couldn't see who it was, how do you expect the guys who have our backs to these douchebags to know who it was? The few who were identified were only identified well after the fact.

Holy shit. How about you read through the posts before making an uninformed post?

I love all this armchair quarterbacking.

WOW!
thanks for the explanation, i was unaware... and thanks dad for a lessen in board posting.

oohh btw, what exactly would i be armchair quarterbacking?

[Roogsy]

No problem son...

[BC101]

sooooooo is it just me or did no one else notice that Boris called the reporter a douche and then the reporter called him out on it LOL.

[Roogsy]

sooooooo is it just me or did no one else notice that Boris called the reporter a douche and then the reporter called him out on it LOL.

In my opinion the reporter deserved it.

Especially since he pretends like the issue is about the "fighting" and yet I don't remember any articles from him after the fights in the 500 level at the Skydome during the Jays games, or the fights outside the ACC after the Leafs games.

It's trendy to point to fights after a soccer event as somehow being "hooliganism" and yet these guys have never seen real hooliganism. It's just a bunch of pumped up, drunk juveniles with too much testosterone who got into a minor scrap, and this guy is making it sound like Montreal after the riots of the Stanley Cup.

That is the price we pay for having "Football Factories" on TV. Now everyone thinks every scrap that happens after a soccer game is a UEFA Cup match in Rotterdam.

I can't believe the Sun is a sponsor of TFC. They are by far the worst paper in this city in covering soccer.

I suppose the good things TFC fans are doing aren't worth mentioning. It's much more scandalous to write about scraps.

[BC101]

Yeah LOL he did deserve it thats why iam laughing. Think i'll slap that on a Tshirt with Boris's face on the back LOL thats class.

[Roogsy]

Pre-shave or Post-shave?

[Boris]

i thinkhe wants to use my facebook picture...

[BC101]

the picture he's using on his facebook profile pic LOL since he's standing infront of the RPB logo with a cheeky smile LMAO.

PS I agree the FF on Telly was nothing but bad things here worst idea ever puttin it on TV.

[Boris]

now everyone that has me on facebook is checking my picture....haha

[werewolf]

brought to you by the same network that uses Comcast and TV38 for their broadcasts...

[manic.street.preacher]

now everyone that has me on facebook is checking my picture....haha
^^well, tis a pretty amazing photo :D
p.s. my macbook doesn't seem terribly fond of the Sun's website, is there somewhere else i can watch the video?

[Boris]

well yeah...im in it...how could it not be

[manic.street.preacher]

^^it might have something to do with the amazing photographer that took the picture, just a theory :D

[Boris]

^^it might have something to do with the amazing photographer that took the picture, just a theory :D

a photographer is only as good as its subject.....enough said

[werewolf]

Posted in another thread, belongs here...


So 4 or 5 people chuck a cup of beer and the other 20k+ people in the stadium are ignored. That's tabloid journalism at its best. I'm sure Brett is happy with another check in his mailbox. No Pulitzer will make its way to him in the near future, though.

[BC101]

Posted in another thread, belongs here...
Posted by Super BTW LOL.

[Brett]

In my opinion the reporter deserved it.

Especially since he pretends like the issue is about the "fighting" and yet I don't remember any articles from him after the fights in the 500 level at the Skydome during the Jays games, or the fights outside the ACC after the Leafs games.

It's trendy to point to fights after a soccer event as somehow being "hooliganism" and yet these guys have never seen real hooliganism. It's just a bunch of pumped up, drunk juveniles with too much testosterone who got into a minor scrap, and this guy is making it sound like Montreal after the riots of the Stanley Cup.

That is the price we pay for having "Football Factories" on TV. Now everyone thinks every scrap that happens after a soccer game is a UEFA Cup match in Rotterdam.

I can't believe the Sun is a sponsor of TFC. They are by far the worst paper in this city in covering soccer.

I suppose the good things TFC fans are doing aren't worth mentioning. It's much more scandalous to write about scraps.

I go to TFC games, and because of this, I care about the environment the game gets played in. But in order to be concerned about fan nonsense at TFC, I should've first written stories about Jays and Leafs' fan fights? I don't think so. Deferring to the Leafs and the Jays doesn't do anything but create an excuse. I care about the issues at BMO Field. I know you guys do too. If somebody else wants to report on bloody noses in the 500s, fine. But I don't. I don't see what that has to do with TFC at all. And I don't think incidents should be minimized by pointing to the next worse thing.

I am not going to go to every TFC game looking for a shoving match to turn into a 'RIOT AT BMO, 20 INJURED' story when there's nothing happening. The point of the piece was to have the parties involved address this nonsense before it actually does spiral into a problem. The whole 'broken windows theory'...

I quoted Jack specifically to distance RPB from all of this. I thought that made it clear RPB opposed beer throwing:

Jack DePoe, president of the 500-member Red Patch Boys fan club, said the majority of TFC fans are growing tired of the maverick supporters who throw things onto the field -- only to face no punishment.

"We definitely have concerns about the fact that they can't seem to curtail this," DePoe said. "And these concerns are well-documented."

Here I thought this made the RPB look proactive in trying to combat the problem.

[Ladies Love Julius James]

Hi Brett, we think your a douche for that Terry Fox stunt you pulled

[Brett]

Posted in another thread, belongs here...

I am beginning to think nobody actually read the piece from beginning to end. Or perhaps at all. See my above post...

[Ladies Love Julius James]

Look at your choice of words."hooliganism". WTF that's like asking for cops to harass us.

[Boris]

Instead of handshakes and hellos, the two groups traded insults, punches and kicks after the 1-1 draw at last Saturday's Major League Soccer match. One TFC fan was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed but later released without charge.

yes, that makes us look real good.
Also, in the video i was asked one question and you cut to the part where i said we dont look for fights in the stands.

i do not want to continue this discussion online in a public forum, but for the sake of any quotes it may be the best place. BUT, please feel free to contact me so we can speak, if you want that is.

[werewolf]

No one is pointing at the other sports venues to justify it, but to point out the hypocrisy that none of it gets covered. Certainly throwing projectiles at players is not advisable, but since all the issues at BMO occur with little notice at other events, why is it just TFC fans that are being singled out?

[Ladies Love Julius James]

No one is pointing at the other sports venues to justify it, but to point out the hypocrisy that none of it gets covered. Certainly throwing projectiles at players is not advisable, but since all the issues at BMO occur with little notice at other events, why is it just TFC fans that are being singled out?


Because we're hooligans.....we raise money for the community, sponsor a little league team, do a shitload of other stuff but because a few dudes throw a few blows.....hooliganism.

[werewolf]

I am beginning to think nobody actually read the piece from beginning to end. Or perhaps at all. See my above post...

I can't take credit for that beauty post, see the one below it.


Instead of handshakes and hellos, the two groups traded insults, punches and kicks after the 1-1 draw at last Saturday's Major League Soccer match. One TFC fan was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed but later released without charge.


As a matter of fact people did exchange handshakes and hellos, prior to the match (you know at that charity event I heard you were writing about)...but lets not focus on that, nobody would want that printed in the paper. :noidea:

[Daveisonfire]

I am not going to go to every TFC game looking for a shoving match to turn into a 'RIOT AT BMO, 20 INJURED' story when there's nothing happening...


nstead of handshakes and hellos, the two groups traded insults, punches and kicks after the 1-1 draw at last Saturday's Major League Soccer match. One TFC fan was pepper-sprayed and handcuffed but later released without charge.

But fans and police say they're tired of the antics that routinely occur in the stands at BMO Field.

If there's nothing happening, then how could it "routinely occur"

[Shakes McQueen]

I go to TFC games, and because of this, I care about the environment the game gets played in. But in order to be concerned about fan nonsense at TFC, I should've first written stories about Jays and Leafs' fan fights? I don't think so. Deferring to the Leafs and the Jays doesn't do anything but create an excuse. I care about the issues at BMO Field. I know you guys do too. If somebody else wants to report on bloody noses in the 500s, fine. But I don't. I don't see what that has to do with TFC at all. And I don't think incidents should be minimized by pointing to the next worse thing.

I am not going to go to every TFC game looking for a shoving match to turn into a 'RIOT AT BMO, 20 INJURED' story when there's nothing happening. The point of the piece was to have the parties involved address this nonsense before it actually does spiral into a problem. The whole 'broken windows theory'...

I quoted Jack specifically to distance RPB from all of this. I thought that made it clear RPB opposed beer throwing:

Jack DePoe, president of the 500-member Red Patch Boys fan club, said the majority of TFC fans are growing tired of the maverick supporters who throw things onto the field -- only to face no punishment.

"We definitely have concerns about the fact that they can't seem to curtail this," DePoe said. "And these concerns are well-documented."

Here I thought this made the RPB look proactive in trying to combat the problem.

We don't expect stories about every fist fight or foreign object thrown at a sporting event. That was our point.

Football has a reputation as having violent fans - and when you think of hooligans - football invariably comes to mind.

While I appreciate your attempts to distance the supporters groups from the actions of a few rogue idiots, the real problem is the portrayal of soccer in the media, period. That was the reason for beinging up the Jays and Leafs.

If some fans get into a fight at a Jays game - it rightfully flies under the radar. If some fans get in a fight at a TFC game, or throw a couple of beers on the pitch - it's a newspaper story.

Stories like this blow the magnitude of the problem way out of proportion, and will result in barriers being put up between the stands and the pitch, regardless of your good intentions.

- Scott

[Boris]

guys, lets not further wreck into this mans profession. At the end of the day, we all know there are issues. It was one persons point of view and we can respect that. While i do not agree with the article, he does bring up some good points. To reply to him with childish messages is not needed. As i said, if he wants to continue the discussion, we can do so but not on a public forum

[Ladies Love Julius James]

HAHAAH yes.

[Brett]

Hi Brett, we think your a douche for that Terry Fox stunt you pulled

Fair enough. That wasn't a stunt. The story obviously evolved as the week wore on. And by evolved, I mean, changed completely from one very tenuous focus to another more specific one. Boris wasn't quoted in my story, btw.

Also, does nobody else here think it's important to put a stop to this shit?

I told Boris the piece was going to be a larger piece about TFC fans, and I'm pretty sure I mentioned something along the lines of how I was still trying to find a focus and that I would be writing it throughout the week for next weekend's paper.

Fact is, TFC fans and Columbus fans went at it on Saturday. And by all accounts, the TFC fans weren't exactly an innocent party here. Did the fight constitute 19,600 fans? No. And I make this abundantly clear.

Anyway! Cheers, all.

[Shakes McQueen]

Fair enough. That wasn't a stunt. The story obviously evolved as the week wore on. And by evolved, I mean, changed completely from one very tenuous focus to another more specific one. Boris wasn't quoted in my story, btw.

Also, does nobody else here think it's important to put a stop to this shit?

I told Boris the piece was going to be a larger piece about TFC fans, and I'm pretty sure I mentioned something along the lines of how I was still trying to find a focus and that I would be writing it throughout the week for next weekend's paper.

Fact is, TFC fans and Columbus fans went at it on Saturday. And by all accounts, the TFC fans weren't exactly an innocent party here. Did the fight constitute 19,600 fans? No. And I make this abundantly clear.

Anyway! Cheers, all.

We all want to put a stop to the fighting and beer throwing, but making football matches sound like a violent expedition doesn't really help combat the problem. Especially when said violence is common in every other sport, except maybe golf.

But football violence stories, of course, make for better reading, because imagery of foaming-at-the-mouth footie fans throwing flares and haymakers comes to mind.

- Scott