New York Red Bulls fans boycott match as ban for own player not harsh enough

  • Bookmark

    • For the latest from the pitch sign up for our football newsletter

    We have more newsletters

    New York Red Bulls fans boycotted a match because they felt a ban for their own player wasn't harsh enough.

    Red Bulls striker Dante Vanzeir hurled a racial remark at San Jose Earthquakes counterpart Jeremy Ebobisse last Saturday, resulting in a six-match ban. But fans reckon their player's punishment should've been longer, and protested the MLS's decision before the club's game against Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

    They also want Red Bulls boss and former Manchester United target Gerhard Struber axed for failing to swiftly remove Vanzeir from the field, despite the pleas from San Jose coach Luchi Gonzalez for him to do so. And ahead of the MLS clash this weekend, three factions of Red Bulls supporter groups, Empire SC, Torcida 96 and Viking Army, representing the South Ward section of the stadium revealed their plans to walk out of the match, boycott future games, and not buy the club's merchandise until their demands were met.

    ALSO READ: Ex-Premier League manager was MLS's 'biggest s***house' – and even riled David Beckham

    And the fans kept their promise as a swathe of supporters were seen storming out of the Red Bull Arena, leaving chunks of the stadium empty throughout the 1-1 draw. The apologies from Vanzeir, Struber, and the club haven't been enough to appease the fans who want heads to roll.

    Vanzeir issued a grovelling apology on the Tuesday following the incident, and the Belgian agreed to accept any punishment handed to him, and undergo counselling. Struber said sorry for not ejecting Vanzeir from the pitch sooner, while the Red Bulls called the attacker's actions, and the boss' lack thereof, "inexcusable."

    Were the New York Red Bulls fans right to boycott the game? Let us know in the comments section below

    Reflecting on the boycott, the fan groups revealed how much it hurt to turn their backs on the Red Bulls. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Empire SC board member Natalie Lazo said: "It's bigger, it's bigger than the game that we all love to watch. It hurts to do this, it hurts to turn your back on a team that has given you so much over the years."

    And her comrade, Steve Ferrezza, added: "All three groups had the same idea to walk out we, you know, made sure that we were keeping the same messaging on everything, but we just all knew, independent of each other that we couldn't just stand by and continue supporting the club in the stands like we normally do.

    "It's important for us because we have to stand against racism." And in order to mend the fraught relationship with the fans, NYRB's front office asked the groups to attend a meeting with Vanzeir and Struber on Thursday, the publication reported.

    READ NEXT:

    • Maguire produces 'vintage' disasterclass in opening 15 minutes against Forest

    • Gazza left crying on the floor when one of his biggest fears realised on TV show

    • Italy star Immobile rushed to hospital after tram crashes into his car

    • Ex-West Ham star, now 41, joins 16th club to extend = extraordinary career

    • Ryan Reynolds savages keeper's 'acting' during Wrexham draw

    • Manchester United FC
    • FIFA

    Source: Read Full Article