Toronto FC suspends supporter privileges over Ottawa incident
TORONTO — BMO Field will have a different look and sound Wednesday as a result of Toronto FC sanctions against its supporters’ groups following last week’s fiery display in Ottawa during the Canadian Championship soccer semifinal.
The MLS club has suspended all supporter privileges after flares and smoke bombs led to small fires in the stands and the pitch at TD Place Stadium last Wednesday during the first leg of the series against Ottawa Fury FC. No one was injured.
The rematch Wednesday — with Toronto holding a 1-0 lead — marks the first game at BMO Field since the incident. A club spokesperson said the ban means supporter groups will not be able to use banners, flags, smoke, drums, bullhorns or noisemakers in the stadium.
The Toronto club says it is co-operating with Ottawa police in its investigation, as well as conducting its own internal review of the club’s supporter program “to ensure the safest environment possible at BMO Field moving forward.”
TFC wasted little time condemning the Ottawa incident, with team president Bill Manning calling it “unacceptable.”
It’s not the first time the club has been at odds with its various supporter groups.
In 2016, some of Toronto’s supporter groups joined forces in going silent during a home game against Orlando to protest recent sanctions against the so-called Inebriatti after an obscene banner was raised in its section during a loss to visiting Montreal. TFC called the banner “an embarrassment” to the club and its supporters.
The south stand, the normally raucous home to loud flag-waving fans, was silent and propless.
The Inebriatti group was sanctioned for misbehaviour in Montreal in the final game of the 2015 regular season after Toronto fans lit flares and damaged Saputo Stadium.
Inebriatti has denied playing any part in Wednesday’s Ottawa incident.