Of all the issues with security in the past 4 years that have been brought up on this board, I had never actually experienced any sort of interaction with stadium personnel and security until tonight.
The National Soccer Stadium was able to squeeze in 2 000 spectators tonight, for the Women's International friendly between Canada and China. Naturally being a supporter of the home team, I wasn't shy about showing my passion and exuberance, neither were the two other supporters I was with.
We purchased our tickets at the box office prior to kick-off. Specifically requesting south-end tickets, we were told that the south and north ends were closed. So we were seated in the front-row of section 122, normally prawn central, it was a mix of folks as the tickets were only $25.
From the onset of the match, we made our volume known. We were very cautious to take note of the families around us, and do our best to keep the support PG. Loud and proud, but no swearing. Almost immediately after taking our seats, the only field level security that I could see was planted squarely in front of us. It was the eeyore looking security guy that is commonly around the south-east corner. He is shortly relieved by a younger guy, but not before they share a few whispers into each others ear and look at where we are sitting.
Throughout the first half, anything louder then a golf clap is met with a glare from which ever "security" happens to be in holding down the fort. Feeling uneasy, at the half, we decide to return to the seats we paid for in the second half. Our time in the concourse must have been during a stadium staff pow-wow.
10 minutes into the second half. One of the supporters I was with yelled "Step on their throats." Probably not the most complimntary thing, but figuratively speaking, its rather tame.
the inexperianced security guard of east-asian descent decides enough cheering is enough. He somehow manages to stumble words out of his mouth, that ultimately amounted to "if I hear one more thing come out of your mouth that I don't like, your outta here".
The fellow supporter requests to see the boss of this induvidual. In comes a big rural-area-looking gentleman, with a goatee. He repeats to quiet down, and that he has heard us swearing all game from his control centre post at the centre-line of midfield. Upon being notified that there have been no swear words being yelled, he goes directly to power-trip plan B...EJECTION!!!
While it was only the one person that was being ejected, the other two of us known entrapment when we see it. As opposed to giving the minimum-wage testostorone boys the satisfaction of BS'ing us, we stick with our man, and leave voluntarily. Our depature was much to the dismay of the people around us, families, groups of adults, induviduals. Appreciative of the passion we brought, now being forced out of the stadium, for what?
Unfortunately, this is neither the first time I have encountered being treated like a second class citizen because I passionately cheer for Canada, IN CANADA. Nor is it the first I have heard of issues with security at the stadium.
For the people I was with, this is the straw that broke the camels back. Between them, a dozen TFC season tickets that won't be renewed. Who knows what it means for future Canadian National Team support, and with a 10% capacity tonight, I am not sure alienating the few proud supporters is the best way to go. Maybe its not the CSA's direct fault, but they can't be that oblivious to the quality (of lack thereof) regarding the stadium operations at that venue.
I am not really concerned with the specific issues of tonight, whats done is done. I just want to know when it will change. Season V...Season I staff training. At this rate, there won't be a Season VI.
Maybe these stadium workers got a promotion or a raise, they were definitely patting themselves on the back for getting rid of the troublemakers.I use descriptions of the staff solely as identifiers, I have seen them before, and next time I see I will take pictures and update this thread. Accountability is long overdue. Fellow supporters need to know when they are being targeted.
When will it end?