March 11th, 2009 . 10:31 am .
By: Buzz Carrick
Did you know MLS had a Fan Code of Conduct? I didn’t either.
Here it is…
FAN CODE OF CONDUCT
Major League Soccer is committed to creating a safe, comfortable and enjoyable soccer experience for all guests in and around our stadiums. MLS fans have a right to expect an environment where:
- Fans are encouraged to cheer, sing, and otherwise support their team while remaining respectful and courteous to their fellow patrons, referees, opposing team fans and players.
- Fans enjoy the soccer experience free from fighting, *thrown objects, attempts to enter the playing field, political or inciting messages, and disorderly behavior, including foul, sexist, racial, obscene or abusive language or gestures.
- Fans comply with requests from stadium staff regarding stadium policies and emergency response procedures.
- Fans promptly and carefully return the ball to a stadium staff member or the ball kid on the sidelines in the event that a soccer ball enters the stands.
- Alcoholic beverages are consumed in a responsible manner and only by those of legal age.
- Fans conduct themselves in a lawful manner to avoid incidents in the stadium and in the parking lots.
*NOTE: The use of streamers and confetti as an expression of fan enthusiasm is not prohibited, but will be kept under review. Streamers are not to be used to impact the competition and/or thrown at or toward a player, referee or stadium staff member.
FAILURE TO ABIDE BY THIS CODE OF CONDUCT IS SUBJECT TO SANCTIONS, INCLUDING EJECTION, BANISHMENT AND ARREST.
MLS and its Clubs thank you for adhering to the provisions of this Code of Conduct and for making this event special and memorable to you and your fellow patrons.
I bolded two lines, one wonders if MLS has seen any of their supporters groups before? Do they even go to games? I guess it’s just a piece of paper to give MLS and it’s teams license to boot you for whatever they want.
At least MLS makes a pledge in return.
PLEDGE TO FANS
Major League Soccer values the support of every one of its fans. MLS pledges to protect a fan’s right to:
- Watch the game in a safe, clean and healthy environment.
- Be treated in a courteous, consistent and professional manner.
- Be treated with dignity and respect by other spectators attending the game and those organizing the event.
- ‘Support’ his or her team, provided that the support is in good taste and neither adversely impacts the event experience of fellow spectators nor negatively impacts the game.
- Expect displays of good sportsmanship.
-Expect timely and accurate information related to the game.
To be fare to FCD, I think the in game stadium conduct of their people for the most part is pretty good. I’ve never heard more than one or two complaints. So credit to our local club for what to me seems to be above average behavior and conduct by their security. (Although that impression could be wrong, since I don’t sit with the Inferno.)
But given what you hear about other stadiums it does make me wonder who wrote this things and if it really is used around the league.
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I think this was made in response to Section 8, and some of the stuff the Toyota Park security did to them last year. The Colorado fans also seem to have major gripes about how their stadium security treats them.
I agree, we seem to have it good on that front.
Dont forget the racial episodes in Columbus last year too, when Shalrie Joseph was taunted to “go back to Africa” and had beer thrown at him while celebrating a goal.
oh yeah, and referee Abbey Okulaja gets more flak than anyone during his games, some being racist stuff.
Speaking of “the law”, I heard on World Soccer Daily just the other day that FIFA “MAY” experiment in MLS with “human goal-line technology” with two additional referee assistants. I believe behind the next. They will determine when the ball crosses the goal line and assist with penalties – they will be wearing head-sets, obviously. Has anyone else heard of this?
With these rules Houston would have lost their supporters groups a few times, starting fights and what not. They did stab a guy last year.
I’ve read it before. It’s purely to cover their asses.
Like that actually happens.