WashPost: Fan Sues U.S. Soccer Over Alleged Discrimination

[tame1999]

Here's something I don't understand at all. Why doesn't the USSF segregate the stadiums at all? i.e., like every European country. Por ejemplo, if you're going to play Honduras in D.C., set aside a specific section for Hondurans only. Let's say, a block of 5 or 10,000 seats. You know you're definately going to sell those out with Hondurans. Plus, you have the Hondurans altogether so you don't have them spread all over creation. This brings the total number of tickets available to like, 40,000. Now you increase demand among U.S. fans because there are 10,000 less tickets for purchase. Also, this creates a better atmosphere. Would you rather have all the Hondurans spread out all over the stadium, making it look like it's actually bein played in Honduras, or would you rather have them in one part of the stadium, away from the camera. Does anyone see where I'm going with this?

[Craig P]

For anybody who talks about "greed" or "selling out," it costs money to run the USSF. I'm not in favor of them squeezing out extra money they don't need by ceding a home field advantage to the opponent, but I have less of a problem if they really need the cash.

[JohnW]

Originally posted by tame1999
Here's something I don't understand at all. Why doesn't the USSF segregate the stadiums at all? i.e., like every European country. ... Also, this creates a better atmosphere. Would you rather have all the Hondurans spread out all over the stadium, making it look like it's actually bein played in Honduras, or would you rather have them in one part of the stadium, away from the camera. Does anyone see where I'm going with this?

Theoretically, yes. Practically, no.

One of the reasons that European countries can segregate their stadiums is because of the demand for tickets from their home supporters. (Obviously, the threat of violence also factors in greatly.)

Unfortunately, the demand of Honduran national team supporters in D.C. greatly outstripped the demand of the U.S. supporters (otherwise the game would have been a complete sell out). The practical solution in this country is moving qualifiers to other sites like Columbus, CMGI, etc.

Also, I agree with prk166 that a lot of this reaction is knee jerk. At the time of the game, there was a lot of anecdotal evidence that people with Hispanic last names were denied the right to purchase tickets.

For those of you too busy to read the story, here's one sentence worth considering...

"While it is legal to deny tickets on the basis of geography or a fan's loyalty, federal law prohibits discrimination on the basis of national origin."

The courts will determine if the reported practice of discrimination occurred and whether there should be any damages.

Finally, comparisons to ticket sales for qualifiers at any Caribbean or Central American site break down pretty quickly because of the relative homogeneity of local populations.

jgw

[stinky]

USSF was trying to create a pro-US atmosphere....its not different than a concert promoter withholding the first few rows for celebrities / families / friends....

i don't see a serious problem here for the USSF.....

USSF was selling based on who you supported, not your nationality....

the fact that the crowd was mostly hondurans and a lot were sitting in the lower bowl hurts this guys chances....

and this lawyer is a friggin scumbag for taking this case on....

what i don't understand is how the ticket office at dc united withdrew his season ticket location just for this game.....maybe he had those flex voucher things.....

but as a metro season ticket holder, i get the same seat for every metro game, even if it is a double header....and if there is a separate international game promoted by metro, then i'm not guaranteed those seats, but more often than not, i get em....

stinky

[nancyb]

Well, this guy could have had a half season plan. He probably also missed the deadline for the pre-order. Still, DCU had a really screwed up policy for this game that I hope is never, ever repeated.

[seraph]

Originally posted by Dixie
No, its more important to have a home field advantage and I don't think many will argue with me. I'd much rather Play Mexico in Columbus in front of a packed house of 25,000 or in Kansas City with 35,000 being mostly US fans than play in LA and have 100,000 fans 75,000 of which are wearing green.

If its about $$ then of course put it in LA but I sure hope its about winning.

I would agree that home town advantage and winning is more important. I just don't believe that has been EVERYONE'S priority...

[DaMarcus the Hoosier]

Originally posted by stinky


i don't see a serious problem here for the USSF.....

USSF was selling based on who you supported, not your nationality....


No, and this is exactly the issue. The fan was never asked WHICH TEAM he was supported. Apparently, the only criteria used in determining his ticket request denial was his name. USSF could have very legally segregated based on team support, and I believe that was the intention. However, in lieu of any feasible way on the ticket application to determine which team an applicant supported, they reverted to using last names, i.e. national origin. It is precisely at that moment, if that is what happened (and that is what the fan is claiming), that the USSF crosses to the wrong side of the law.

Any posts saying "the guy could have bought scalped tickets, on Ebay, etc. etc." are totally irrelevant. Given the general state of the US as a nation of immigrants, one should be very troubled by rejection (for tickets, for bank loans, for club membership, whatever) based on national origin.

[glove]

I hope he doesn't intend on collecting a penny from USSF as it is not a profitable organization as of yet. Case doesn't have a wooden D##k to stand on!! USSF will only have to prove it was trying to reward faithfull members of affiliated assc./orgs by giving them first picks much like PSL's for NFL clubs. SAMS,USYSA,Screaming EAGLES(WHERE MOST Hondorans probably got ticks),season ticket holders etc.. All I have to say is what a little bitch he is probably called Joel Atlas Skirble(yo soy el capitan-for dc area folks) or some other ambulance chaser. Go piss yourself.

[blech]

Originally posted by DaMarcus the Hoosier

No, and this is exactly the issue. The fan was never asked WHICH TEAM he was supported. Apparently, the only criteria used in determining his ticket request denial was his name. USSF could have very legally segregated based on team support, and I believe that was the intention. However, in lieu of any feasible way on the ticket application to determine which team an applicant supported, they reverted to using last names, i.e. national origin. It is precisely at that moment, if that is what happened (and that is what the fan is claiming), that the USSF crosses to the wrong side of the law.
***


Well put.

If this version of the facts is accurate, I am very disappointed in the USSF (as well as anyone who supports them on this). If the only criteria is his name, it was -- plain and simple -- wrong to refuse to sell him the best available tickets.

I agree that we need to do what we can to maximize home field advantage, and some good suggestions are included in this thread (perhaps, for example, we should split the games between Columbus and New England and sell them in packages). But, at the end of the day, if someone shows up to buy tickets, they shouldn't be discriminted against because of their name, or their race, or their national origin. That's not what this nation is supposed to be about, and it's certainly not worth throwing away those principles just so that we can have a better chance to win a soccer game.

[MarioKempes]

Originally posted by blech


Well put.

If this version of the facts is accurate, I am very disappointed in the USSF (as well as anyone who supports them on this). If the only criteria is his name, it was -- plain and simple -- wrong to refuse to sell him the best available tickets.

I agree that we need to do what we can to maximize home field advantage, and some good suggestions are included in this thread (perhaps, for example, we should split the games between Columbus and New England and sell them in packages). But, at the end of the day, if someone shows up to buy tickets, they shouldn't be discriminted against because of their name, or their race, or their national origin. That's not what this nation is supposed to be about, and it's certainly not worth throwing away those principles just so that we can have a better chance to win a soccer game.

Agree completely. Clearly there was discrimination, clearly the USSF fooked up, and clearly, I think, the fan has a strong civil case. I hope for the sake of soccer in the US, however, that the typical outrageous jury award does not happen this time.

[Dixie]

Originally posted by seraph


I would agree that home town advantage and winning is more important. I just don't believe that has been EVERYONE'S priority...


Unfortunately I agree with you and that just plain s_cks but $$ is the name of the game.

[DaMarcus the Hoosier]

Originally posted by MarioKempes


Agree completely. Clearly there was discrimination, clearly the USSF fooked up, and clearly, I think, the fan has a strong civil case. I hope for the sake of soccer in the US, however, that the typical outrageous jury award does not happen this time.

Well, it's hard to say "clearly" at this point. There is likely a dispute over the facts of this case (as differentiated over a dispute in the law), and that's what the trial will resolve -- which version of "facts" carry the day. IF what the filer of the lawsuit is saying is true, it's a big mess for USSF, but it's one thing to claim X, Y, and Z outside of court and to have the same claims validated inside the courtroom. So we'll have to wait and see, is the best I can say.

[whip]

I will sue USSF for violation of my civil rights too, because here Houston Tx we have the right of watch at least once a year our US NATIONAL SOCCER TEAM, AND WE BEEN IGNORE, by the way Houston TEXAS IS A BETTER VENUE THAN "BOLLITIERY TENNIS ACADEMY, FLA" AND ITS 37 LANDSCAPE WORKERS, AT LEAST WE WILL PAY THE TICKETS .

[efren95]

Originally posted by bert patenaude


That's nice if you believe that. I've been an attorney for eight years and there are plenty of people in this country who are above the law. Take that fact to the bank.

Embarrasing as it is to admit it: you're right. I just went through a legal process where I discovered --to my total chagrin-- that some LAWYERS are 'highway robbers'. At least the one who was my 'counsel'...

He kept the retainer and left to Europe on vacation.

[lurch]

He has every right to sue. He was discriminated against because of his last name. He wasn't asked who he was supporting.

I'm as much in favor of the home field advantage as the next guy, but this is wrong.

Play in Columbus.

[MarioKempes]

Originally posted by DaMarcus the Hoosier


Well, it's hard to say "clearly" at this point. There is likely a dispute over the facts of this case (as differentiated over a dispute in the law), and that's what the trial will resolve -- which version of "facts" carry the day. IF what the filer of the lawsuit is saying is true, it's a big mess for USSF, but it's one thing to claim X, Y, and Z outside of court and to have the same claims validated inside the courtroom. So we'll have to wait and see, is the best I can say.

My comments were based on how the facts of the case have been presented by the media. If they are in fact different than reported, then all bets are off.

[Korean Football]

Originally posted by galaxyfan03

Why shouldn't US Soccer do EVERYTHING in their power to establish a "true" home-field advantage for our USMNT, especially in a crucial WCQ?!! It's not as if he was denied access to ALL tickets. He could've purchased seats in the upper level.



But the problem is...

.
.
.


He was an American.

He wanted to sit at the "U.S. section" at the lower deck cheering for the U.S. team.

He's sueing because he says that the USSF thought he would support the Honduran NT just because of his hispanic last name.

[galaxyfan03]

Originally posted by Korean Football



But the problem is...

.
.
.


He was an American.

He wanted to sit at the "U.S. section" at the lower deck cheering for the U.S. team.

He's sueing because he says that the USSF thought he would support the Honduran NT just because of his hispanic last name. Point taken & accepted !!!!!