Bar » The league’s fan code of conduct

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde says his team wants to play its Spanish league “clásico” match against Real Madrid at home despite a planned separatist rally in the Catalan capital on the same day.The Spanish soccer league wants the Oct. 26 game to be moved from Barcelona to Madrid because of security concerns Becky Sauerbrunn Jersey , with the return match automatically switched from Madrid to Barcelona.Valverde said Thursday he and his players prefer to keep the schedule unchanged and show everyone that the game can take place safely despite the current problems in Catalonia.The region has seen violent protests for the last few days with police clashing with protesters angered by a Supreme Court decision to sentence nine separatist leaders to prison. Separatist groups have called for supporters to rally in Barcelona on the day of the match.There is also discussion about postponing the game instead of switching it to Madrid, but that could potentially cause a scheduling conflict with other competitions.The Spanish soccer federation said the clubs have until Monday to respond to the league’s request to change venues.The league runs the top two tiers of Spanish soccer, while the federation controls regulations and fixtures for professional and amateur games.Catalan independence flags are a regular feature at Barcelona’s home games at the Camp Nou Stadium. Major League Soccer is lifting its ban on signs and banners featuring an anti-Nazi symbol for the remainder of the season and the playoffs.A handful of fans in Portland were prohibited from attending matches this season after challenging a ban on the Iron Front, a symbol with three arrows pointed downward and to the left that was first used by an anti-Nazi paramilitary group in the 1930s. The league had said the emblem violated a ban on political displays included in the MLS fan code of conduct adopted this season.MLS maintained the symbol is political because it has been appropriated by antifa, loosely organized militant groups of anti-fascists that sometimes engage in violence. Supporters’ groups maintain the Iron Front represents opposition to fascism and persecution — a human rights issue, not a political stance.Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders supporters’ groups, as well as the Independent Supporters’ Council, protested the ban Crystal Dunn Jersey , and some fans across the league continued to use the symbol on flags, banners and signs at games.Both sides met last Thursday in Las Vegas to find a resolution. An additional conference call was held Tuesday afternoon.MLS President and Deputy Commissioner Mark Abbott said in a statement the league would also form a working group, including representatives from the league, its clubs, the ISC and the supporters’ groups, to re-examine the code of conduct going forward.“This working group will include representatives from the league office and clubs and work collaboratively with leaders of club supporter groups and a cross-section of diversity and inclusion experts,” Abbott said.The supporters groups also issued a statement.“The Independent Supporters Council and supporter groups for the Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC acknowledge the league’s willingness to discuss these complex issues, as well as the league’s affirmation of its long-time opposition to racism Kelley O'Hara Jersey , fascism, white supremacy, white nationalism and homophobia,” the statement said. “We appreciate Major League Soccer’s willingness to engage, listen, and learn. We look forward to continuing the dialogue, moving away from direct action in the stands on this issue, and instead focusing our energy on making progress around the table.”The league’s fan code of conduct https://www.thetopsoccer.com/uswnt/lindsey-horan-jersey , implemented this season, prohibits “using (including on any sign or other visible representation) political, threatening, abusive, insulting, offensive language and/or gestures, which includes racist, homophobic Alyssa Naeher Jersey , xenophobic, sexist or otherwise inappropriate language or behavior.”Earlier this season, a fan waving a Trump 2020 flag was removed from Providence Park.