Whitecaps supporters tomorrow will "walk out of a match in mass protest" for the third time at B.C. Place Stadium to stand behind players from the '08 Whitecaps and U20 Canadian women's national team who leveled "allegations of sexually inappropriate" behavior, abuse and bullying against a former coach, according to J.J. Adams of the VANCOUVER PROVINCE. Members of the Vancouver Southsiders and Curva Collective supporters groups will "head up the stairs to the concourse" in the 35th minute of the match against the Timbers. There has been "public outcry over the handling of the accusations by both the Whitecaps and Canadian Soccer Association." The supporters groups on Tuesday held a meeting with Whitecaps ownership and team execs in an "attempt to broker some kind of agreement," but the two sides "left without any meaningful progress." Many season-ticket holders have either "cancelled or plan to cancel their packages, with many also refusing to buy team merchandise, unfollowing the team's social media accounts, and limiting their in-stadium purchases of food and beverages." One of the "main sticking points has been the team's refusal to face reporters in an open press conference." The Whitecaps last week held an "invite-only availability" in which co-Owner Jeff Mallett spoke to the accusations, but the team "barred certain members of the media from attending." Meanwhile, a Timbers supporters group will "show solidarity with their Whitecaps counterparts, walking out of the game in the 35th minute" (VANCOUVER PROVINCE, 5/9).
