Incoming MLS club Orlando City SC "continued to take steps to clean up its fan conduct and stadium environment this week, establishing a 'Fan Advisory Council,' reinstating The Ruckus supporters group and announcing the suspension of 15 fans," according to Paul Tenorio of the ORLANDO SENTINEL. The moves come "in the wake of a major incident during a game" against the NASL Tampa Bay Rowdies, in which "four fans were arrested." The club announced that Ruckus members will "be allowed to use drums, banners and tifos" beginning with the next home game Aug. 2. The fan advisory council will meet and "provide feedback to the club regarding a wide variety of topics." The club in a release said that the council will "include a large cross-section of fans from throughout the stadium." Orlando City President Phil Rawlins said, "This is an idea we’ve had in mind for some time now. We wanted to announce a formal plan to get this up and off the ground very quickly. I’ve had firsthand experience with (fan advisory councils) in my time of ownership of [EPL club] Stoke City and we had a similar council there that worked well." He said of suspending individual fans, "We made it very clear that the new Code of Conduct would be in place and we would be enforcing it. A very small group of fans decided to break those rules and flaunt them and consistently and consciously use bad language in an ongoing basis during the course of the game. We also had several complaints about fans bullying and bullying behavior from certain members of leadership that led us to action. It is something we’ll continue to monitor" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 7/21).
