CUP SECURITY FAN FRIENDLY
The stereotype of Canada as being a friendly nation full of polite folk seems to be driving security plans at the women’s World Cup.
Security at the men’s World Cup is a complex and calculated chore, indiscriminate toward fans, FIFA personnel and media filled with X-ray scanners and checks. Traveling fans face heavy scrutiny to avoid scenes like last summer’s World Cup in Brazil when Chilean fans stormed the press room at Rio’s Maracana Stadium.
But at the women’s finals, friendly smiles and a tip of the cap are more likely to greet you than a surly security guard waving a baton.
“There are no virulent rivalries between teams and fans as you would see with fans in other leagues or competitions. Right away, there is a less of a threat. The thinking is ‘This will likely be a peaceful event, though precautions have to be taken,’ ” Wesley Wark, an expert in national security and counter-terrorism issues, said by telephone Wednesday.
There is a noticeable police presence on game days in Montreal, but there is no sign of unruly fans. The majority seem to be families or children.
Wark believes the openness fits in with the feel of the tournament. “This is Canada, and we tend not to go overboard by instinct on security matters. The idea is to promote women soccer, and the last thing is to surround them with fences or a police force. That would create an image around the games that you don’t want.”
Moonlighting:
Mexico’s roster has 12 players who have U.S. roots and several amateurs who play for college teams stateside, including defender Christina Murillo, a senior at Michigan.
Murillo redshirted last season so she could train with Mexico. “It’s been a dream of mine since I was about 4 years old,” said Murillo, who is from Ojai, Calif.