Orlando City sanctions fans over Tampa Bay incident
Four fans are banned from attending matches and the two main supporter groups are being forced to sign “fan code of conduct” agreemnts.
David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
The headlines surrounding Orlando City’s imminent “promotion” to Major League Soccer have been overwhelmingly positive. Whether it’s about their signing of Kaka, the plans for their new stadium or the crowds they’ve drawn in USL-Pro, most indications are that the Purple Lions will help raise the profile of the 20-year-old league.
With increased attention, though, comes increased scrutiny. That may have bitten them in the butt a bit following incidents surrounding their “friendly” with cross-state rival Tampa Bay. Several members of Orland City’s supporters groups were removed from the stadium by police after they apparently attempted to disrupt their rival fans.
What exactly happened is something the legal process will need to sort out, but whatever it was Orlando City officials are taking it seriously enough that they’ve handed down some rather significant sanctions according to a release on the team’s website:
- The four fans arrested have been suspended from all future Orlando City games pending the outcome of legal proceedings;
- Both current Supporter Groups - The Ruckus & Iron Lion Firm - have been indefinitely suspended pending their agreement to a new Fan Code of Conduct which follows MLS Supporter Group guidelines;
- All privileges associated with being a Supporter Group (e.g., use of drums, flags, large banners, etc.) are temporarily suspended. The Club is in the process of implementing new guidelines to become a "Recognized Supporter Group" which will involve privileges (such as use of drums, flags, large banners, etc.) for those groups that comply in the future;
- A copy of the new Fan Code of Conduct is being distributed to all fans.
Clearly, this is not the kind of thing Orlando City wants to be dealing with while just months away from making their debut. At the same time, it’s good to see that they aren’t taking incidents like this lightly.
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