TFC supporter's group's letter to Crew GM regarding future trips

The following letter was sent to Columbus Crew's GM Mark McCullers in April.

Originally it was not intended to be made public. The TFC supporter's groups decided to boycott going to Columbus, but not to make a public statement. However, since the boycott was made public today in a Toronto Star article, I've been asked to publish the letter here so that all Toronto and MLS fans can understand the thinking behind the decision.

It is unedited:


April 10, 2009

Mark McCullers
General Manager, Columbus Crew
1 Black & Gold Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio
43211

Dear Mr. McCullers,

We wish to inform you that we will no longer be returning to Columbus for any future regular season match between your team and Toronto FC.

It is our opinion that an overwhelming majority of the “issues” that took place at the match on March 28, 2009, could have been avoided through proper security measures.

Our fans were directed through a singular exit out of Crew Stadium’s south end, towards an awaiting assemblage of members of opposing supporters groups, who were easily identified by their attire. It is our belief that security should not have allowed identifiable members of an Crew supporters group to congregate – on the opposite end of the stadium from where their seating is located – in the area where our fans would be exiting the stadium en masse.

In addition, the actions of the Columbus Police immediately thereafter were highly unprofessional and disorganized, and not reminiscent of any proper crowd control measures used in the interest of keeping the peace. In fact, it seemed as if the exact opposite was true, as police aggressively clashed with fans of both teams, after having sped unsafely through the crowded parking lot, a mere slip of the wheel away from seriously injuring innocent bystanders.

While there were indeed some fans on both sides that were individually crossing the line of expected behaviour - and steps are being taken to ensure that any fans traveling with our contingent will not be allowed to act in such a manner - it is our opinion that it was poor planning by security and unprofessional behaviour by police that pushed the situation past a few minor, isolated incidents. This created a much more dangerous and volatile situation, which has since become a black eye for both the Crew and TFC.

It is because of these events that the three main supporters group of Toronto FC have mutually decided to cease any future plans to travel to Columbus until assurances are made by the Crew front office, Crew Stadium security and the Columbus Police Department that much more effort will be made to ensure the safety and security of all soccer fans in a peaceful, appropriate manner. As such, we will be sending a similar letter to the Columbus Mayor’s Office.

We will also actively discourage all TFC fans who are not members of our supporters groups to not travel to Ohio, instead encouraging travel to other nearby cities in which instances like those of that Saturday have never occurred.

I’m sure you realize the numbers we bring to Columbus at least once a year, and the countless thousands of dollars that are spent by our traveling fans, not only in the stadium, but also in the Columbus area on hotels, food and entertainment.

We hope that we will one day be able to return.

Sincerely,



Rudi Schuller, U-Sector
(On behalf of Pedro Almeida, North End Elite; and Jack DePoe, Red Patch Boys.)