Earlier today, executives from Major League Soccer met with leaders of the Independent Supporters Council and supporter groups for the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC to discuss the MLS Fan Code of Conduct. MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott provided the following statement after today’s meeting.
“We had a productive meeting, and I would like to thank the supporters’ group leaders for their willingness to share their views in an honest and open conversation. The League reaffirmed its long-time commitment to the values of inclusion and diversity, including opposition to racism, fascism and homophobia and to ensuring that there is no place for repugnant hate speech in MLS stadiums.
“During today’s meeting, the League proposed a collaborative process for reviewing its Fan Code of Conduct in a way that is inclusive of a cross-section of industry experts and national advocacy groups along with the leaders of its supporter groups. The goal is to have that process completed prior to the start of the 2020 season. The League also committed to evaluating the treatment of the Iron Front flag for the remainder of the 2019 season, while conducting the broader evaluation of the Fan Code of Conduct, and are scheduling a conference call with the supporter group leadership next week to discuss this.
“We look forward to this next step in the process and continuing a dialogue with the Independent Supporters Council and other supporter group representatives.”
The Independent Supporters Council, along with supporter groups from the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers, released the following statement after the meeting:
