Toronto Sports: 6 times fans crossed the line (on camera)

Beer it like Beckham

One of the greatest atmospheres in Toronto sports history was marred by some more fans testing out their arms when a star-studded LA Galaxy team faced off against Toronto FC in front of 47,000 fans at Rogers Centre.

On top of having the added importance of a CONCACAF Champions League match, the disparity between the two sides brought out that chip on Torontonians’ shoulders.

One of the 10 original MLS clubs when the league started play in 1996, LA Galaxy entered 2012 with three MLS Cups to their name. Meanwhile, TFC were just five years old, and perennial bottom-feeders.

On top of the historical gap, the Galaxy brought some incredible talent into Rogers Centre. Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane, and most notably, David Beckham, played in the match.

As if the underdog mentality didn’t hype Toronto fans up enough, complaints about the turf took them over the edge before the game even started.

With Beckham the designated corner-taker for the Galaxy, he had to know he was going to be in for a challenging night. At first it was just streamers, which are annoying to clear away, yes, but just good fun.

Gradually, the projectiles became more, shall I say, durable. A couple beer cans entered in to play, mixed in with the red and white ticker tape.

After a small army of security guards and police officers surrounded Beckham, he delivered a perfect corner that was turned in by Donovan for the game-tying goal. The match finished 2-2.

A fiery affair in Ottawa

The only entry on this list not to take place in Toronto, involved a major graduation in medium.

Instead of launching beers, travelling Toronto FC fans supporting their club in a 2018 Canadian Championship match against Ottawa Fury chose to make their mark with some pyrotechnics.

A hallmark of many soccer grounds the world over, flares are not allowed into North American soccer venues. These supporters found out why.

After cracking a few of the flares open, the heat quickly transferred to some surrounding banners, setting them alight. A loud bang then rattled the seats of TD Place, and some of the fire even made its way onto the playing surface before being stomped out by security.

While Ottawa Fury apologized for allowing the illegal items into the stadium, Toronto FC cracked down hard. TFC imposed “immediate and permanent termination” of The Inebriatti, the registered supporter group allegedly tied to the incident. The Inebriatti denied having any part in the flare thrown on the field and the explosion, and later said that Toronto FC was unfairly punishing the entirety of the group for the actions of a few.

While they remained absent for the rest of the 2018 season, The Inebriatti were once again occupying the south end of BMO Field in time for 2019.