Mixed Message: MLS Draws Sanctions on the 3252 for Use of Flares While Promoting It as Soccer Culture

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In the recent aftermath of the flare show during the Western Conference Finals, Major League Soccer (MLS)’s imposition of sanctions on the Los Angeles Football Club’s (LAFC) 3252 supporters group has sparked concern about the lack of clarity from the league on the use of fireworks in its stands.

The Culture in the Stands

In what will be the last game of the year, LAFC will play another final in 2023, this time vs. the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday in a game which will decide who wins the MLS Cup. This, days after the team was handed heavy punishment for its supporters behavior, following a wave of outcry by rival supporter groups and selected casual fans.

LAFC 3252 during a game / Celso Oliveira TMLSIt’s hard to explain what the group does for the environment without experiencing it first hand.  For LAFC, the 3252 represents a pivotal supporter’s group of 3k+ members, spread out all thorough the North End, each and all contributing significantly to the ambiance at LAFC matches.
A clear understanding of the importance of these groups for soccer clubs and its atmosphere is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the broader implications of these sanctions.

Flares for the MLS Cup 2022

The history of use of flares by LAFC’s Supporters isn’t new. During last year’s MLS Cup, the group utilized flares and smoke, a spectacle that was notably promoted by the league through various media channels. The inconsistency now arises in the league’s recent disciplinary actions, just one year later, prompting questions about the clarity and coherence of MLS messaging about the subject.

Commissioner Garber’s and MLS’s Role in Building Supporters’ Culture

 

Further complicating matters is Commissioner Don Garber’s historical endorsement of flares through his personal social media. His past promotion of supporter culture, using flare imagery specifically from this one game, now seems incongruent with the league’s current stringent stance, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty among fans.

CBS, and ESPN weigh on. Apple TV mostly quiet

 

Media professionals, like Ally Trost from CBS Golazo, voiced concerns regarding perceived mixed messaging. Trost’s observation that penalizing the 3252 for an activity once promoted by the league raises questions about the consistency of MLS communications. Meanwhile, most of the Apple TV journalists seemed quiet on the subject.

Seb Salazar from Futbol Americas on ESPN also seemed to get the point right, reminding us this isn’t the first instance the league backpedaled on its initial stance towards supporter actions, particularly involving flares. Including footage featuring the Timbers’ Army, another supporters group known for flare usage, in an ESPN promotional video is icing on the cake.

This pattern adds complexity to the narrative and underscores the need for the league to provide unequivocal guidance to its franchisees and its SGs, who work mostly for free while helping the league build a professional and credible image in the World Game.

All of it, days from the big Final, with supporters now in Ohio saying they may have their supporters’ rights taken away for the MLS Cup game on Saturday and all of next year. The whole sequence of events emphasizes the necessity for a transparent, coherent, and professional approach to supporter conduct, and it seems MLS is still trying to understand what that should look like.

As the league dreams of becoming a top destination for footballers, it will need to strike a balance between enforcing safety protocols and celebrating fan culture.  Addressing mixed messages will become paramount in maintaining the trust of us all, supporters and media, while fostering a professional and harmonious soccer environment in our country.

Cover: Celso Oliveira / TMLS