Dynamo supporter groups receive sanctions for games at FC Dallas.
Instruments, banners among items banned by MLS, FC Dallas
As a decade-long member and now one of three leaders of the Dynamo’s El Batallon supporter group, Mannie Gutierrez has seen all the big moments in club history.
Guitierrez saw one of the biggest nights of this season May 28 when he watched the Dynamo break through for their first road point with a 0-0 draw against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium.
That could be the last time in more than two years that Gutierrez and other members of Dynamo supporter groups can fully embrace their road game experience in the Texas Derby.
The MLS and Toyota Stadium and Security imposed privilege restrictions on Dynamo supporter groups for the next four games between the Dynamo and FC Dallas in Frisco.
A letter from officials at the stadium to the Dynamo front office cited “unacceptable behavior that was displayed before, during and after the match.”
Multiple reasons given
Gina Miller, FC Dallas vice president of media and communications, said the specific reasons were El Batallon members setting off smoke bombs and a flare outside the stadium. Miller also said unidentified Dynamo fans not necessarily associated with El Batallon threw streamers inside the stadium.
Miller said a vulgar chant directed toward Dallas also was considered in assessing the restrictions.
Because of the new sanctions, Dynamo supporter groups are not allowed to enter Toyota Stadium with flags, banners, instruments or any other implements used to display their support of the team.
Toyota Stadium also is limiting the number of tickets allotted to Dynamo supporter groups to 100. About 300 fans attended the May 28 game and sat in a reserved section.
MLS officials said the four-game time period is the minimum required per league policy based on the rules Dynamo supporters were judged to have broken May 28.
Dynamo sources said the organization believes the sanctions are an overreaction and that it is looking into it in support of their supporters.
Toyota Stadium and Security said the decision was made following discussions with event staff and front office, MLS security agents and MLS operations.
This is not the first time Dynamo supporter groups have been sanctioned.
In 2012, MLS cited three incidents from fall 2011 in which Dynamo fans ignited smoke bombs inside three stadiums, including the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., for the MLS Cup Final.
The league denied Dynamo fans permission to use items listed as Supper Group Exemptions in MLS prohibited items policy (i.e., flags, banners, confetti and drums) during games at two of the stadiums in which they ignited smoke bombs in 2011.
Before the recent Dynamo-FC Dallas match, leaders of Dynamo supporter groups and Toyota Stadium security had a conference call to discuss what was allowed and prohibited at the stadium. FC Dallas also sent a seven-page email outlining specific rules and prohibited items, including smoke bombs, flares and other incendiary devices. The letter also said “failure to abide by these policies is subject to sanctions, including ejection, banishment and arrest.”
Gutierrez, who denied that members of El Batallon threw streamers, said the punishment is heavyhanded.
“I don’t know how reasonable it is,” Gutierrez said. “There is only so much we can do with policing. Obviously, (stadium security) couldn’t do it either. If there was a specific individual they wanted to deal with, I don’t see why placing that sort of sanction on so many other people is fair.”
Not all restricted
Miller also said Toyota Stadium has had zero issues with a handful of other supporter groups this season.
The privilege restrictions do not extend to fans not associated with Dynamo supporter groups, though MLS prohibits them from bringing flags and large signs into the stadium. Miller said the restrictions are meant to limit the organization of large groups because of the increased likelihood problems could arise.
“There is nothing we could do or would do to prevent another fan from coming to a game,” Miller said.
That means Gutierrez and other members of Dynamo supporter groups are welcome to attend the next four games in Frisco, though Gutierrez said he is undecided if he will go back.