Toronto FC fan group battles team over code of conduct
'It pains us not to sing for you,' says suddenly silent cheer squad
Toronto FC supporters group Inebriatti has taken a vow of silence in protest against the MLS club's front office.
The feud between the Toronto FC and their supporters group began at the end of August when two Inebriatti members raised a sexually explicit banner at a Montreal Impact game.
Inebriatti recently posted a Facebook statement explaining their reasoning behind their silent protest:
Toronto FC's front office is asking members of Inebriatti to sign a document stating that they will abide by their code of conduct. The supporters group says it is hesitant to sign because it doesn't want to be held unilaterally responsible for any incidents in its seating area.
They say "sometimes silence speaks louder than words" but with Toronto FC making the playoffs for the second time, maybe both parties need to make amends.
TFC should send the <a href="https://twitter.com/inebriatti">@inebriatti</a> members gift baskets every day, in my opinion, not complaining about them! They've hurt nobody.
—@NeugsieHaving a boisterous supporters group and atmosphere with it is a privilege for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tfc?src=hash">#tfc</a> and players lets not forget that. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFCLive?src=hash">#TFCLive</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/inebriatti?src=hash">#inebriatti</a>
—@Le_JdotInebriatti holds a strong presence at BMO Field and fans, players and other supporters groups recognize it:
Clearly, <a href="https://twitter.com/inebriatti">@inebriatti</a> are the difference... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFCLive?src=hash">#TFCLive</a>
—@KurtLarSUNI'm glad other groups are standing behind <a href="https://twitter.com/inebriatti">@inebriatti</a> simple as that! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/tfc?src=hash">#tfc</a>
—@swissrules69I don't know whether other groups will join <a href="https://twitter.com/inebriatti">@inebriatti</a> in silent protest moving forward. It would not surprise me if they did though.
—@24thminuteWith the post-season looming, captain Michael Bradley is hoping the clubs and fans can work out their difference, saying the team welcomes and needs their support.
"My message to the fans is we need them, more than maybe they even realize," he told reporters when asked about the conflict.
"A club is everybody. It's not just the players, it's not just the front office, it's not just the fans. It's everybody all together...as we go into the most important games of the season, we need our best and most supportive fans behind us in the biggest way."
With files from The Canadian Press