The Major League Soccer Players Association is asking the league to overturn a policy that prevents fans from bringing political signs and banners to games.

Supporters across MLS have been pushing back against the new fan code of conduct, which went into effect prior to the 2019 season. The code of conduct bars fans from “using (including on any sign or other visible representation) political, threatening, abusive, insulting, offensive language and/or gestures, which includes racist, homophobic, xenophobic, sexist or otherwise inappropriate language or behavior.”

Among the specific signage that is barred by the policy are displays that include the “Iron Front” symbol, an emblem with three arrows pointing downward which was first used by an anti-Nazi paramilitary organization in Germany in the 1930s.

The league has faced backlash from some fans for its decision to ban the symbol. Fans say that the Iron Front symbol is not political because it represents an opposition to fascism and oppression, which are issues of human rights. MLS is concerned that the symbol has been adopted by the antifa movement, a loose affiliation of activists whose protests against fascism and racism have sometimes turned violent.

The Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) said in a statement on Twitter Tuesday that it supported “the efforts of its fan/supporters’ groups to overturn MLS’s overly vague ban on ‘political’ speech at MLS games.”

“As countless athletes have shown in the past several years, we all have a voice and should be empowered to use it to support inclusiveness and oppose those who attempt to silence opinion. Our supporters’ groups are the backbone of our league and have our full support,” the MLSPA said in a second statement on Twitter Tuesday.

As countless athletes have shown in the past several years, we all have a voice and should be empowered to use it to support inclusiveness and oppose those who attempt to silence opinion. Our supporters' groups are the backbone of our league and have our full support. (2/2) — MLSPA (@MLSPA) August 13, 2019

Following mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio earlier this month, Philadelphia Union captain Alejandro Bedoya used his platform to call on Congress to take action to end gun violence. After scoring a goal against D.C. United in Washington D.C. on August 4, Bedoya yelled into an on-field microphone: “Hey, Congress, do something now! End gun violence! Let’s go!”

While Bedoya’s statement was political, MLS did not take any disciplinary action. Bedoya was voted the MLS Player of the Week by fans and the media, even though he wasn’t included on the league’s ballot.

“The Major League Soccer family joins everyone in grieving for the loss of lives in Texas and Ohio, and we understand that our players and staff have strong and passionate views on this issue,” the league said in a statement following Bedoya’s on-field comments.

The new code of conduct prohibits fans from holding up signs and displays with the Iron Front symbol, but does not prohibit supporters from wearing clothing with the icon. Fans are also not prohibited from displaying other signs that espouse anti-fascist, anti-racist or pro-immigrant messaging.

But that isn’t enough for many supporters.

The 107 Independent Supporters Trust, the nonprofit arm of the Timbers Army and Rose City Riveters, along with two Seattle Sounders fan groups, the Emerald City Supporters and Gorilla FC, released a joint statement earlier this month calling on MLS to rescind its ban on the Iron Front flag, remove the word “political" from its fan code of conduct as "it is inherently arbitrary” and craft language in the code of conduct that “reflects and supports radical inclusion and anti-discrimination.”

Members of multiple supporters’ groups have also been pushing back against the ban, posting Iron Front imagery on Twitter under #AUnitedFront.

-- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com

503-853-3761 | @jamiebgoldberg

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