Isn't this the same FO that e-mailed out their entire season ticket base list this year? http://www.prostamerika.com/2012/06/30/rapids-lift-lifetime-ban-for-swearing/66186 At first glance, that seems ridiculous...
Would be surprised if the Dynamo didn't have files on every single "troublemaker" in the SS. ********ing ridiculous.
Not only does FCDallas have a file on me, the Inferno have their own chant dedicated to me... #winning
It makes sense to keep of file of incidents. Of course where it falls apart is that their level of what's an "incident" is laughably low and not consistently enforced across the organization (things Rapids fans get busted for at the Dick happen regularly with Nuggets and Avs fans at the Pepsi Center with no problems). Also there's no rules or policies to indicate when your file of incidents results in a lifetime ban.
The supporters should start keeping public files on incidents with security and staff. Customer service ******** up? Name and number on the web. Security drops an f-bomb? Post a photo of the guy who did it. Supporters united will be unstoppable.
That was the theory behind the Independent Supporters Council, but they're more like a sorority, exchanging recipes on their blog. Anyone who is an actual advocate for supporters rights is not welcome. And you can see how quickly ISC has jumped on this issue. In San Jose, when the FO tried to censor a tifo, the 1906 Ultras completely shut down the atmosphere the following game. No standing, no chanting, just sitting silently in the stadium visibly motionless above a banner that read "CENSORED" and with duct-tape over the supporters' mouths. The controversy became a story in a local paper that ordinarily offers no real coverage of Quakes games. Regular fans started begging the front office to make amends. It was the best thing that ever happened to the Ultras because everyone else, fans and FO alike, realized just how indispensible the Ultras were. Postscript? If you watched the California Clasico on TV over the weekend, you know that San Jose is now a Free Speech zone with a capital F-bomb.
Personally rather than buying into their bullshit I would go the other way. The whole supporters section need to arrange a chant with as many F-bombs as possible relating to this and sing it in unison throughout the last 5 minutes of the game. What they going to do, eject and ban all their fans? ******** 'em Sometimes the only way to beat tyranny and authoritarianism is through direct confrontation and doing the opposite of what they demand.
If its KSE? Yes. Remember this is the same organization who's last Managing Director told the SG leaders to their face that the SG's could be replaced and they weren't needed. They've wised up from there, at least the people inside the Rapids part of the organization, but don't underestimate the stupidity of the greater KSE empire.
Uhm, they do. A couple of years back at the Rob a friend of mine misplaced her car and back tracked it to the stadium. She told them she was at the game and that she knew me. Upon mentioning my name, they asked her if I was the same as my alias in EB. She was told they had profiles on "all of them."
WHAT? This is sick. Who has time to put together profiles on "all of them." Are they paying someone to compile these things? This whole situation is preposterous, really.
Reportedly a "verbal assault" on a security member/KSE employee. See the Prost Amerika article linked in the OP for more details. No idea.
Also the Rapids FO is (apparently, since I'm getting the information secondhand) claiming this is coming from KSE corporate and they weren't informed of the decision until after it was made.
Alo Staley is as Security Manager for KSE. Oh and MLS HQ has security employees who reads the boards.
Free speech is great! I'm not in favor of Supporter's Groups being censored. However, a little responsibility is in order. Your Ultras came across as crass and unimaginative! And that may be what you were shooting for. But consider this. Television programmers have a responsibility to the FCC and they need to appeal to an audience. If groups insist on using the F-word in chants, then eventually, the field microphones positioned near the groups will be turned off. Because you still can't drop audible F-bombs on TV.
Well the FO got what they wanted out of you guys too. The Ultras tifo hasn't produced anything as remotely offensive since the incident either.
What was the point of creating the terraces at DSGP if not to encourage a more vocal supporters section. Did they really expect a golf clap atmosphere from these guys. The suits in KSE need to loosen their neckties, because I'm certain the bloodflow to their brains is being restricted.