Timbers supporters' group Timbers Army released a statement Thursday "criticizing" MLS for its decision to "issue a three-game ban to a handful of Timbers fans that violated the league's prohibition on political signage by flying Iron Front banners" at a match last weekend, according to Jamie Goldberg of the Portland OREGONIAN. In response to the decision to "sanction those fans, the Timbers Army announced Thursday that they would hold another protest" at Saturday's Sporting KC-Timbers game. While the fans "don't plan to stage another silent protest, the Timbers Army announced that they would not fly any flags or deploy any smoke for goal celebrations at Saturday's game." The group's statement said, "We are happy to confirm that members of the Front Office have agreed to meet with us next week, along with several social justice organizations that specialize in protecting marginalized communities in Oregon. We welcome a discussion of the bans, as well as the larger issues we are concerned about" (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/6).
