MONTREAL - Due to repeated incidents, CF Montréal announced on Wednesday the indefinite and immediate closure of section 132 at Stade Saputo, starting with the upcoming home game this Saturday, September 11.
A rash of incidents, recent and older, have forced the Club to take action. Repeated incidents of violence, physical and verbal aggression, intimidation and vandalism, as well as numerous reports of unauthorized pyrotechnics, smoke bombs and incendiary devices, continue to grow in section 132, where the ASUPMTL is located, which includes the Ultras Montréal 2002 and affiliated groups.
As of September 11, these groups are banned from any activities at Stade Saputo and in relation to any and all official team events and initiatives.
Several requests, restrictions and warnings have been issued to representatives of section 132 by the organization in recent years, to no avail. As recently as August 27, supporters from section 132 were involved in confrontations with visiting supporters who were physically assaulted outside Stade Saputo.
As a result of behavior and other incidents that occurred on that day, Toronto FC made the request to not provide the required allocation of away tickets to any CF Montréal fans in the visiting supporter section for the game in Toronto on October 23. MLS is in full support of this as an exemption to the policy based on behavior and increased risk. The league has indicated that further action against the Club and its fans could result if this type of behavior continues.
The MLS Code of Conduct as well as Stade Saputo regulations apply to all fans without exception, to ensure that the experience and environment at each event is safe for fans as well as for the players and staff on the field.
The Club will continue to work with all supporters and other fan groups located elsewhere in the stadium to continue to promote a healthy and lively culture, while supporting the unique atmosphere of Stade Saputo.
