New York Red Bulls’ three supporter groups staged a walkout moments before kickoff of the team’s eventual 1-1 draw with the Houston Dynamo Saturday night.
After a weather delay initially stalled their protests, the Viking Army (VA), Empire Supporters Club, and Torcida 96 streamed out of Red Bull Arena leaving the stadium noticeably barren.
The trio announced earlier this week they would be protesting the suspension and handling of star player Dante Vanzeir, who used racist language in last week’s 1-1 draw with San Jose.
The supporters stayed for the national anthem before exiting, displeased with the length of suspension and coach Gerhard Struber’s handling of the delicate situation.
Before exiting, the South Ward fans repeatedly chanted ‘Fire Struber’ in unison. Despite their departure, fans from the other corners of the stadium stayed to watch the action.
Supporters stayed for the national anthem before exiting in a protest against the NY Red Bulls
With the game underway, the South Ward was noticeably more barren than before the protest
The view from the South Ward once the three supporters groups had left Red Bull Arena
Before exiting the stadium The South Ward stood with scarves aloft, sending a strong message
Fans from all three supporters groups have been vocal in their anger against the club & Vanzeir
San Jose player Jeremy Ebobisse said he heard a racist remark – and game footage showed players on both sides reacting by shoving Vanzeir away from the scuffle, which resulted in an astonishing 21 minutes of added time.
Vanzeir was not taken off immediately following the 64th minute clash and instead stayed on until Struber subbed him in the 87th.
Earthquakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said he ‘was adamant to suggest that the player should not be on the field anymore.’
A statement from the club directly apologized for the incident, calling the words and the inaction on Struber’s part ‘inexcusable’.
The Red Bulls’ record signing has stepped away from the team, with an announcement coming prior to his six-game suspension by Major League Soccer.
Vanzeir took responsibility for what he did in a statement, saying he would ‘agree to any suspension, fine, and counseling’ as a result of his punishment.
Meanwhile, Struber said in a Monday statement that he ‘made a decision that I thought was best given the information I had at that moment’ and admitted he should’ve ‘immediately’ subbed Vanzeir.
During Thursday’s press conference Struber publicly apologized. NYRB front office called supporters groups to organize meeting this week, with Vanzeir and Struber also present.
‘It’s bigger, it’s bigger than the game that we all love to watch,’ ESC board member, Natalie Lazo said of the protest in comments to DailyMail.com. ‘It hurts to do this, it hurts to turn your back on a team that has given you so much over the years.
Fellow ESC board member, Steve Ferrezza, echoed similar sentiments, suggesting all three supporters groups were in lockstep regarding the walkout.
‘All three groups had the same idea to walk out we, you know, made sure that we were keeping the same messaging on everything, but we just all knew, independent of each other that we couldn’t just stand by and continue supporting the club in the stands like we normally do,’ he told our reporter at Red Bull Arena.
‘It’s important for us because we have to stand against racism.’
A section of fans have been repeatedly calling for Struber and Vanzeir to be sacked for their respective involvements.
Supporters began to walk out from the stadium after the national anthem, as kick off began
New York Red Bulls forward Dante Vanzeir was suspended six games for using racist language
In a joint statement, fan groups said they will ‘continue protesting’ until change does occur
Last week’s match was stopped for over 20 minutes as the officials discussed how to proceed
Vanzeir, who has represented Belgium at the national level, previously played for Union SG