http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ7hZKAkD2I Cut to 6:55 in that video and you will see the treatment of the Toronto fans towards to opposition players. This is not the first incident at BMO Field, far from it. Despite league initiatives and announcements at the stadium to not throw objects on the pitch, it continues to happen; and this past Saturday, it looked to be at a whole new level. Should Toronto FC be penalized? What kind of punishments should they face? There was deserved league-wide outcry when Columbus fans were seen to be stepping out of line. I understand that racial sensitivity is still one of America's biggest taboos, but does a few racial epithet make their behavior that much more intolerable than Toronto FC's?
IMO, the team should not be penalized for the actions of the fans, but maybe the game should. You pay to see good footie. Fans get out of line, call a stoppage. MAKE TRAINED SECURITY DO THEIR JOB, then restart game. Add water and repeat. This would have multiple effects. First, it would encourage self policing as fans would get upset at the game disruptions, so they would be more likely to help security locate perpetrators. Second, players would get upset, and ask for more cooperation from the fans. Third, and most importantly, the idiots thowing things would see the stopage as a badge of honor, likely throw more stuff, giving security a second chance to spot them and DO THEIR JOB. Another idea is for the league to mandate cameras in the corners. You throw something and security misses it, they go back and get a seat number and track you down. I absolutely hate this idea, but if thats what it takes then so be it. IF the league decides to penalize teams, which I am against, then a yellow card to the coach is what I would go with. Bottom line is most fans want to see their team win. Two yellows to the coach and he is gone. No real fan wants to be the cause of that. P.S. Hockey games have fights all the time between crowd members, so I only addressed the throwing of items as it disrupts games. Post and in match supporter fights should be handled just like any bar or street fight. Of course, I could be wrong.
maybe they should force Toronto Fruitball Club to grow some balls...or a real pitch, either one would do them some good.
I think 50 supporters at the next TFC match should be picked out at random on entry and executed mid-field at half-time.....
quit cryin over a few streamers an worry bout something worth cryin over , like getting new grass for your stadium or making the playoffs !!
Being reminded everyday when they wake up that they're JUST Canadians is pretty good punishment enough.
Throwing ANYTHING at players should be unacceptable. Including paper streamers. It's just common sense. The supporter's groups should self-police. And security should enforce the other sections in the stadium. If you can't keep it in the stands the league should step in. Points deductions would be intirely reasonable. (Not that it would make much difference for TFC this year) But how would you like to start with a 5 point deduction for next season? I suspect the first step would be a stadium ban on alcohol.
TFC "fans" reached a new level of stupidity when they threw streamers at an injured Zach Thorton as he was being stretchered off the field. Good job TFC, thankfully you won't annoy anyone during playoff games.
I guess those streamers are the reason Thornton's fat ass was dropped by the medical crew along the sidelines. As for the majority of the responses in this thread, incredibly moronic yet entirely predictable.
hahahah did they really drop SNACK THORTON? Or did someone throw a piece of a burger and he dove to the ground to munch on it???? If someone has footage of them dropping snack thorton please post it..
http://z15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?showtopic=8070 There are some first hand accounts from Toronto FC's U-Sector supporters group. Draw your own conclusions. And Thornton being dropped. Not nearly as good as it sounds http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfRUzpHFZ8k
The punishment is they should be coached by a Newcastle/Leeds United castoff (those are such greatly run organizations) and be forced to play on plastic grass and have a Preston North End castoff as a "star". O wait......