UPDATE: MLS Code of Conduct

In the past few months, the Independent Supporters Council has been keeping an eye on events across the league in regards to the newly published Supporters Code of Conduct. We were especially concerned with the term “political” in the new Code of Conduct as it pertains to supporters being able to visually show support for initiatives that we hold important and that align with the MLS “Soccer for All” campaign.

After speaking with our members, Timbers Army, and our MLS league contacts, we would like to publicly state a decision that we believe will set precedence for supporters around the league. The Portland Timbers front office has confirmed to 107IST/Timbers Army that they will definitely allow anti-racist and anti-fascist words to be displayed at Providence Park.

We urge all clubs and supporters to use this decision made in Portland as precedence when evaluating incidents in their own stadiums. The Independent Supporters Council continues to believe MLS must differentiate between statements of inclusion, tolerance, and mutual respect and statements that oppose these shared values.

As the season continues, we hope to see not only individual clubs, but Major League Soccer take an active stance in favor of human rights.