Many Toronto FC fans in the south end stands of BMO Field were dressed in black during Saturday's game against the Timbers as part of a "unique call to action to mourn the fact" that the CFL Argonauts are "moving into TFC’s home next year, and raise their concerns over the integrity of the soccer pitch being maintained when they do," according to John Molinaro of SPORTSNET.ca. A number of banners "were held up, including 'RIP BMO,' and the same fans kept eerily quiet and only began to cheer and beat their drums midway through the first half, leading to a funeral atmosphere inside the stadium." While organizers of the "Black Shirts At BMO" social media campaign "went to great lengths to stress that it wasn’t a protest, it sure felt like it, and don’t think for one second that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto FC management and TFC players didn’t take notice" (SPORTSNET.ca, 5/24). Meanwhile, in Toronto, Kurtis Larson notes MLSE President & CEO Tim Leiweke on Saturday "entered the south stand to make a peace offering," but found himself "in a heated squabble" with a fan. Those in the area said that Leiweke was "cursed at by a small group of supporters," with a supporter "going toe-to-toe with the CEO and repeatedly telling him to go back to where he came from." All of this, "most likely, because a beleaguered" CFL club is moving into BMO Field in '16. But Leiweke's team has "done everything it can to ensure BMO Field’s playing surface remains pristine." The vitriol hurled at Leiweke "was more than uncalled for." Larson: "It was flat-out bizarre. It ignored everything TFC has done the past two years" (TORONTO SUN, 5/26).
