MLS had met with supporters' group leaders to discuss the Iron Front ban before it was liftedGETTY IMAGES
MLS is "suspending its ban on the Iron Front symbol" for the rest of this season, and has "formed a working group to review the league's Fan Code of Conduct" ahead of next season, according to Jamie Goldberg of the Portland OREGONIAN. This change comes after a conference call yesterday between the league, leaders from the Independent Supporters Council and supporters' groups for the Timbers and Sounders. MLS has "faced significant backlash from fans this year after changing its Fan Code of Conduct to ban political signage and displays at games." Among the specifically banned signage was the Iron Front symbol, which fans said was "not political because it represents an opposition to fascism and oppression, which are issues of human rights." MLS was "concerned that the symbol had been adopted by the antifa movement." However, after "protests and pressure from fans in multiple markets, the league changed course." MLS execs met with supporters' group leaders in Las Vegas last week before yesterday's call (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/25).
ALL WILL BE FORGIVEN: PRO SOCCER USA's Caitlin Murray noted the Timbers ahead of yesterday's call had "already removed language" from their website "stating that the Iron Front symbol was prohibited at games." Sources said that fans who had been "caught violating the ban and displaying the Iron Front already will be given amnesty" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 9/24). USA TODAY's Jim Reineking notes during a Red Bulls-Sounders match on Sept. 15, the majority of fans in the supporters' section "walked out of the stands at the beginning of the second half as a sign of unity for a supporters leader who was removed during halftime for displaying the Iron Front flag." Several Timbers fans were "banned for three games for waving flags bearing the Iron Front symbol." At a Sounders-Timbers game last month, fans from "both teams staged a silent protest for the first 33 minutes of the match to protest the league's political signage ban" (USA TODAY, 9/25).
