Press release – For immediate release

Object : Reply of Front Commun Montréal concerning the punishment in Section 131-132

Montréal, July 4th 2017

On June 29, the Montreal Impact FC announced a three-game punishment for all the supporters of Sections 131 and 132 following the events taking place during the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC (TFC). In its press release, the Montreal Impact FC remind us that: " It is forbidden to post messages that are obscene, indecent, abusive, racist, political or inappropriate … ".

In a second statement, the Montreal Impact FC said that one of the banners not approved by the club belonged to Front Commun Montreal (FCM). Here is the banner:

Not only does not have a penalty, but the Facebook account of the Impact shares the photo as shown in the following screenshot:

June 21 was not only the date of Impact’s game against TFC, it was also the National Aboriginal Day.  FCM members chose this day to demonstrate their support for the Aboriginal people who occupied the terrirotyr long before the founding of Canada. We felt it was essential to seize the opportunity of a Canadian Championship game taking place on the same day, at the height of the festivities towards the 375th of Montreal and 150th of Canada.

What we undertsnad about the policy of the Montreal Impact is that political messages are not allowed in the stadium.

Although the club has a policy that bans political messages, we actually see that it chooses the political messages it wants to put forward. As a recent example, during the May 13 game, FCM members posted a banner to denounce Homophobia. This banner "not approved" by the Montreal Impact, is a political message as is the banner for the National Aboriginal Day. But, that time, the Facebook account of the Montreal Impact shares the photo as shown in the following screenshot:

Moreover, it is unfortunate to see the club acting unfairly to its supporters. The club binds completely separate events to penalize all of Sections 131 and 132. How supporters in the stand can be held accountable for each other?

We also invite you to consult the advertising created by the MLS "Do not cross the line". With the help of players, the MLS offers speeches to end discrimination. No to racism, no to homophobia and no to sexism are also important themes for FCM members. We want to remind the Impact that its supporters are Montrealers, Quebeckers, Canadians and, of course, Natives.

Solidarity between the ULTRAS!

Freedom for the ULTRAS!

Front Commun Montréal