Is it legal to wear masks at Louisville City FC games? Fans, deputy clash over ordinance

As Louisville City FC and Tampa Bay Rowdies battled on the pitch Saturday, soccer fans and a sheriff's deputy clashed over the right to wear masks in the stands.

Coopers supporters' group president Tom Farmer and vice president Alex Miner told Courier Journal that a few minutes after the match kicked off at 3 p.m., a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy started threatening to throw out or detain fans who were wearing masks or scarves over their faces, citing a city ordinance.

That ordinance stipulates that a person cannot appear in a public place in Jefferson County "while wearing any mask whereby a substantial portion of the face is hidden or covered so as to conceal the identity of the wearer."

Among the six exemptions listed are wearing masks while participating in Mardi Gras celebrations or for the purpose of safety while taking part in "sporting activity."

Louisville Slugger Field is owned by Metro Development Authority and is considered a public place, which the ordinance defines as a building, ground or infrastructure "dedicated to public use or owned or maintained by public authority."

Disobeying the ordinance is classified as a misdemeanor and punishable by a maximum fine of $100 or maximum 50 days in jail.

Farmer said the deputy approached several fans in the supporters' section shortly after the match began and threatened to issue citations if they did not remove their masks, pulling up the ordinance on his phone. When the fans did not remove their masks, the deputy approached Farmer along with one contracted security officer and two Louisville Metro Police officers.

Some supporters left the stadium to avoid getting a citation while others stayed, some still wearing masks and others not. No citations were issued and no additional attempts were made to enforce the ordinance, Farmer said.

"The deputy approached me individually in the second half and expressed that he thought the ordinance needed clarification and that he was merely concerned with safety," Farmer said.

ESG Security contracts with LMPD to provide security at Louisville City FC matches. It is unclear whether the sheriff's deputy was contracted through ESG or was providing additional security through the Jefferson County sheriff's office. A spokesman for the sheriff's office could not immediately comment when reached by Courier Journal late Saturday night.

More: Louisville City FC shuts out Tampa Bay Rowdies for second win of the season

Louisville City FC executive vice president Brad Estes confirmed no citations were issued and that the club is aware of the incident. Estes said he spoke with the deputy at the match and said he has been in contact with members of Metro government.

"The fan experience is extra important to us and we want to make sure our fans are free to develop a soccer culture that's fitting of their passion," Estes said. "We will discuss this issue with the appropriate people and hopefully come to a resolution this week."

Louisville City FC fans have been wearing masks and scarves to matches for the last three seasons seemingly without issue. Farmer, Miner and Estes said they believe this is the first time that law enforcement has attempted to enforce the ordinance.

"Masks have been discussed in the past three years, but always as a part of the LouCity code of conduct," Farmer said. "In each of those situations, we have been able to successfully work with the front office to address any concerns while continuing the use of masks."

Danielle Lerner: 502-582-4042; dlerner@courierjournal.com; Twitter: @Danielle_Lerner. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/daniellel.