Footie and Football Fans - Both Out of Line

Fans of both versions of football are coming under some increased scrutiny here in Canada after events on consecutive weekends both incidents involving throwing beer among other things at opposing players.

The fans of the Saskatchewan Roughriders always among the most fervent in the league are in the spotlight after being accused of throwing cans and plastic cups at BC Lions players during Saturday's loss in Regina.

Similarly, Toronto FC fans are under the microscope for pretty much the same after last weekends action against the Columbus Crew when once again the missile of favour was once again beer but accusations of coins and actual pieces of the stadium seats being tossed were also laid.

It begs a couple fo questions - just how bad is the over priced ale being served at the stadiums in Regina and Toronto that people are willing to toss it? And most importantly when did it become a "right" for the paying spectator at sporting events to assault the players and each other.

In Saskatchewan and Toronto both "real" fans are trying to rationalize the incidents away.

In Regina, Devin Heroux, who was in the east side of the stadium and near the action, told CBC News the Lions contributed to the squabble.

"They were mocking the fans, making uncalled-for gestures toward the fans," Heroux said. "B.C. today might be looking like CFL angels, the good boys of the CFL today, but that's not the case at all."

In Toronto the fan groups are blaming "tourist fans" and security.

Jack DePoe, president of the 500-member Red Patch Boys fan club, said the majority of TFC fans are growing tired of the maverick supporters who throw things onto the field -- only to face no punishment.

"We definitely have concerns about the fact that they can't seem to curtail this," DePoe said. "And these concerns are well-documented."

Flat out wrong on both counts.

No where on the small print on the back of your ticket does it say "the holder of this ticket is permitted to throw objects of any sort because their team is having a bad season, the opponents are mocking you or your just having a bad day."

In both cases security and the fans themselves need to crack down on this behaviour before it becomes the norm and requires much more draconian measures by all involved.

In both cases the leagues involved, the CFL on the football side and MLS on the footie side are promising to review the incidents and see if further punishment for the clubs involved are warranted.

If the incidents are found to be true the "fans" or "hooligan wannabees" in Toronto FC's case should face penalties up to and including being banned from the stadiums - no if, ands, or buts ban them and nip this thing in the bud.

When did this kind of social behaviour become justifiable anywhere let alone in a stadium full of witnesses? Call me old fashioned but where I come from beer should only be tossed after consumption not before....