Security staff at Vancouver Whitecaps game eject fans with banner welcoming refugees

by Charlie Smith on September 27th, 2015 at 11:32 AM

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Politics and soccer don't mix—or so it seems at B.C. Place.

Yesterday, members of a local soccer team Left Wingers FC held up a banner at a Vancouver Whitecaps game.

It had a simple message: REFUGEESWELCOME.CA.

According to the group, three members of the club were ejected from the stadium and the banner was confiscated. This occurred even though it wasn't blocking other fans' views.

"All the players on the team are saddened and disturbed by the events that are happening on the shores of Europe, at Canadian borders, and to people who are being forced to flee violence” team member Natalie Blair said in a news release. “We want our community to be one that is open to all people seeking refuge. Recent events remind us how difficult our government has made it for people to come here. It is not just about getting to Canada. As a nurse I see how many services here have been cut and denied to people based upon migration status. We want that to change.”

The Whitecaps lost to NYC FC 2-1 on a penalty kick in injury time after tying the game with just minutes remaining.

Some activists were escorted out of the stadium.

Nicky Young

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC issued a statement declaring that the three were ejected because of "inappropriate behaviour" and "fan misconduct".

The team maintained that the removal of the fans was not related to the banner.

A similar banner welcoming refugees was seized at another Major League Soccer event in Toronto. According to Left Wingers FC, the Toronto team has since acknowledged that it will allow banners welcoming refugees.

The Left Wing FC movement began in Oakland and has spread to several North American cities.

One of the founders of the Vancouver squad, Angus Wong, said his team has members from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

"From the 47-year old IT-tech whose kids live in South Africa, to the 26-year old white kid from Alberta, we are all in support of refugees and migrants," he stated in the news release. "I personally believe Canada should use our abundant resources to support and welcome many, many more people fleeing violence into this country."