Fan behavior came into question at the stadium after an ugly match with Atlanta United earlier this monthGETTY IMAGES
There are "changes coming to Orlando City Stadium," after the MLS club yesterday announced "suspensions for 38 fans who were involved in an incident that included trash being thrown on the pitch" during a May 13 match, according to Jordan Culver of PRO SOCCER USA. Changes will include that if a fan "throws an object on the field, a PA announcer will make an immediate statement regarding the ramifications of throwing things on the field." Also, a fan code of conduct video involving players "is being created," and the stadium will "transition to an all-pour venue." No beer bottles or cans "can be distributed in the stadium." Finally, more cameras "will be installed in the inner bowl of the stadium to ensure 360-degree views at all times." Those who are suspended "will be notified how they can eventually regain access to the stadium." Orlando City VP/Gameday Operations Alex Wolf said that the suspensions "will range from one to two years." Wolf declined to comment on "how many cameras are currently in the stadium and how many cameras will be purchased." Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao said that it will "take 'a couple of games' to fully implement all of the measures." He added that MLS "did not have a hand in creating these new measures," and that everything that will be implemented "is a 'club decision'" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 5/21).
