Some Orlando City Soccer fans have been suspended from future games after being unruly at a Tampa Bay Rowdies game last weekend.
The team's founder and President Phil Rawlins has taken action against a small number of fans and has apologized to the Rowdies.
Four people were arrested and almost 20 were kicked out after a violent incident at the game at Al Lang Stadium. According to St. Petersburg police, firefighters were called to the stadium after a report of a fire in the stands during the game.
Police said problems began when two busloads of fans of the visiting team, Orlando City, arrived at the stadium. Officials said many of those fans were intoxicated.
Arguments and fights with Rowdies' fans followed. At some point, police said smoke bombs were set off in the stands.
Rawlins has suspended two fan groups, "The Ruckus" and "Iron Lion Firm" from future games until they agree to follow a new fan code of conduct.
"The Club wants to make it abundantly clear that it will not tolerate any such behavior, will not be associated with fans who think this type of behavior is acceptable, and takes the situation extremely seriously," Rawlins said in a statement posted to the team's website.
Rawlins' full statement follows:
At last Sunday’s game in St. Petersburg a small portion of our fans were involved in a number of incidents that reflected very poorly on our Club and entire fanbase. The Club wants to make it abundantly clear that it will not tolerate any such behavior, will not be associated with fans who think this type of behavior is acceptable, and takes the situation extremely seriously.
Orlando City is proud of the reputation it has built in the community and will not allow a small number of fans involved in unsavory behavior to tarnish our organization. For these reasons the Club, following consultation with local law enforcement and Major League Soccer, has taken immediate action which includes (but is not limited to) the following steps:
The four fans arrested have been suspended from all future Orlando City games pending the outcome of legal proceedings;
Both current Supporter Groups – The Ruckus & Iron Lion Firm - have been indefinitely suspended pending their agreement to a new Fan Code of Conduct which follows MLS Supporter Group guidelines;
All privileges associated with being a Supporter Group (e.g., use of drums, flags, large banners, etc.) are temporarily suspended. The Club is in the process of implementing new guidelines to become a “Recognized Supporter Group” which will involve privileges (such as use of drums, flags, large banners, etc.) for those groups that comply in the future;
A copy of the new Fan Code of Conduct is being distributed to all fans.
We extend our apologies on behalf of our fans to the Rowdies organization for the events of last Sunday. The Club has also written a letter to the Tampa Bay Rowdies expressing the same.
In closing, as a Club, we have worked tirelessly over the last four seasons to be a model organization on and off the field. We are very proud of what we have accomplished with the support of our fans, partners, players and staff. We know that the vast majority of our supporters already fully comply with the Fan Code of Conduct, love the game of soccer, and are passionate fans of Orlando City. We will not allow our good name to be sullied by the actions of a few. We will, without hesitation, do everything we can to continue upholding the Club’s core values as we transition into Major League Soccer.