Friday, June 6, 2008

Death to Streamy

Ok, that's too extreme. I never wanted to stop streamers from existing or being thrown, but at players? During the game and causing delay? Many of you know that I took issue with that.
Well, well, Don finally sees it more my way.

Major League Soccer Commissioner Issues Statement
Regarding Thrown Objects in Columbus on May 24

NEW YORK (Friday, June 6, 2008) – Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber issued the following statement today regarding the Columbus at the Crew versus Revolution game on May 24.

"MLS has conducted an investigation into events occurring at the game between the Columbus Crew and the New England Revolution on May 24th at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. During that game, objects were thrown onto the field by spectators on a number of occasions, in some cases striking players on the field of play. A number of fans were ejected by security staff as a result of these actions.

As a consequence of this review, MLS and its teams will take the following steps:

1. MLS and its clubs will undertake a comprehensive review of security measures in each MLS facility to ensure that sufficient measures are taken to prevent fans from throwing objects from the stands at players or officials on the field. Additionally, MLS teams and stadiums will fully communicate to all fans attending MLS games the League’s policy that spectators in breach will be ejected and prohibited from attending future games.

2. MLS has reviewed the increasingly coordinated use of streamers at some MLS stadiums to affect play, particularly as a distraction to visiting players as they attempt to take corner kicks. MLS teams will communicate to their supporter groups MLS’s existing policy – that streamers are not to be used to impact on-field competition or thrown toward a player, referee or stadium staff member. While the spontaneous use of streamers and confetti as an expression of fan enthusiasm will not be prohibited, the continued practice will be kept under review. Should issues continue regarding the use of streamers, MLS will have no option but to prohibit streamers.”

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Translation:
Don Garber: "I guess Wilabon was right. My Bad.

Anonymous said...

About time.

Anonymous said...

Well he said stop throwing on corner kicks or else. In other words you can still do it just stop during it to slow playing on the field. This whole thing with Wilabon has gotten MLS some free press good or bad you always want to be in the news.

The Hammer said...

It's amazing how groups took Garber's words as permission to be idiots. In the end, you were right Andrea.

HDC staff was clear about streamer throwing at the last derby. They said it must not hit the field of play. That, to us, meant that we could still throw streamers, but we'd be throwing them at the track around the field where they wouldn't interfere.

Is that fair enough?

A.C. said...

I think the HDC's guideline is a good one. Heck, throwing stuff could still provide a good background on corners, lots of flying streamers. But I like the reverence for the field of play itself - no streamers on that surface is a very good call.