Latest news with #FanCodeofConduct
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Diehard soccer fan kicked out of St. Louis stadium for wearing MAGA cap: ‘Trump is not welcome here'
It was a red card offense. A diehard Major League Soccer fan was kicked out of a Missouri stadium for wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat during a match, according to shocking footage from the game. Michael Weitzel was sporting the signature red cap inspired by President Trump's campaign slogan at the July 26 St. Louis City SC soccer game at Energizer Park when security approached and asked him to leave with about 25 minutes remaining. The brief incident, which Weitzel filmed and posted on social media, unfolded after someone filed a complaint with stadium police mid-game. 'I didn't think there'd be any issue with wearing that to the game, but with about 25 minutes left in the game, I was basically told they'd received a complaint about my hat,' the season ticket holder told KFTK's Marc Cox Morning Show. 'They told me I could either hide the hat or take it out to my car or leave. I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody. I live in America, which is the land of the free and the home of the brave, I thought. So you do what you have to do.' The 32-acre St. Louis stadium prohibits political banners, flags, images, and signs inside the arena unless pre-approved, according to the Fan Code of Conduct listed on the soccer club's website. In Weitzel's video, he's seen wearing the MAGA hat and a red shirt as four security guards approach and calmly explain that the club doesn't allow political symbols inside the stadium and ask him to leave. 'I'm being asked to leave by police. I am being threatened with arrest. They are asking me to leave,' Weitzel said as he's being escorted out of the match, with some onlookers jeering and booing behind him. 'I am being evicted from the premises because of Donald Trump – because we can't wear Donald Trump hats in public. Now I am being evicted from the premises. Trump is not welcome at St. Louis City SC club. Trump is not welcome here.' An officer leading Weitzel out of the building told him he was also a Trump supporter, but said he was simply enforcing the club's rules. 'He gets it, he's just following the rules,' Weitzel said, the footage shows. 'It's not his fault. This is the stadium's rules here. So that's what happens if you wear a Donald Trump hat to a St. Louis City Soccer Club game.' Weitzel told KFTK he was minding his own business during the game – ignoring attendees who were 'flipping him the bird' – and was stunned that today's political climate has sparked incidents like this. He's now reluctant to return to Energizer Stadium, even after purchasing three years' worth of tickets to support the St. Louis team. 'I do want to see them do well,' Weitzel told the morning show. 'I don't really want to let the actions of a few small-minded people or a few angry complainers stop me from enjoying something that I love.' Originally published as Diehard soccer fan kicked out of St. Louis stadium for wearing MAGA cap: 'Trump is not welcome here'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Donald Trump supporter thrown out of St Louis soccer stadium mid-game after refusing to remove MAGA hat
Image via X/ The Drew Lane Show In a moment that felt more political protest than sporting event, Michael Weitzel—an ardent season-ticket holder at St. Louis City SC—found himself escorted out of Energizer Park during a July 26 match for the seemingly simple act of wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat. What began as a routine night cheering for Major League Soccer turned contentious as Weitzel captured the final 25 minutes on video, one that would soon go viral. The stadium security informed him that political symbols weren't allowed under the venue's Fan Code of Conduct, which led to a choice: remove the hat, store it in his car, or leave. Weitzel chose the last option, recording the entire interaction to social media. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with heated reactions online, raising questions about consistency in policy enforcement, selective censorship, and whether support for different forms of political expression is treated unequally. What unfolded was not just a sports story—it became a symbolic dispute over politics, policy, and personal belief. The MAGA hat clash: Everything we know about the St Louis stadium incident Fan KICKED OUT of MLS game for wearing MAGA HAT! Calls out HYPOCRISY as PRIDE FLAGS fly in stadium! According to video footage and first-hand accounts, Weitzel was wearing his signature red MAGA hat when, with approximately 25 minutes left in the game, he was approached by four security guards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It's so easy and quick Cars24 - Sell Your Car Sell Now Undo They informed him of a complaint lodged mid-game and reiterated that the stadium disallowed political paraphernalia unless pre-approved. Pressed to remove his hat or leave, he refused and was escorted out without physical conflict. Energizer Park's published fan code specifically prohibits political banners, flags, and signage unless prior approval is granted. While hats aren't explicitly mentioned, stadium officials upheld their authority by treating any political symbol—including apparel—as subject to regulation. Weitzel questioned why other politically associated items like Pride flags or trans banners were permitted inside, claiming inconsistency in enforcement. Stadium reps say those were pre-approved under policy, highlighting a distinction between different expressions. On KFTK's Marc Cox Morning Show, Weitzel described himself as a peaceful fan who was 'minding my own business' before being confronted. He emphasized that he felt singled out for wearing a political symbol tied to Trump, asserting: 'I didn't think there'd be any issue with wearing that to the game, but with about 25 minutes left in the game, I was basically told they'd received a complaint about my hat,' Despite calm compliance, he expressed frustration with what he viewed as politically motivated enforcement. He said one officer even revealed himself as a Trump supporter but claimed he was 'just following the rules.' 'They told me I could either hide the hat or take it out to my car or leave. I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody. I live in America, which is the land of the free and the home of the brave, I thought. So you do what you have to do.' Weitzel further added while being escorted out, 'I'm being asked to leave by police. I am being threatened with arrest. They are asking me to leave.' Weitzel's video gained millions of views across platforms, prompting intense debate around selective censorship and public expression. Critics argued the stadium's actions amounted to political discrimination disguised as rule enforcement, while defenders emphasized the club's right to set venue policies. The incident sparked comparisons with past cases—such as a NFL fan in Arizona forced to remove a MAGA hat at kickoff—underscoring an ongoing national conversation about how sports venues navigate political imagery. Michael Weitzel's experience has resonated beyond the stands at Energizer Park, sparking broader questions on political expression in public entertainment spaces. While St. Louis City SC insists it simply enforced its fan code, critics highlight perceived bias in permitting certain symbols while rejecting others—including the MAGA hat. Weitzel, a committed supporter of the team, now wonders whether his experience will deter him from future games. This incident underscores the tension between venue policy and personal expression: a debate that will shape not just Olympic-level security protocols, but the everyday conversations fans have while cheering on their teams. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
![Diehard Trump -Supporting Soccer Fan Thrown Out of MLS Stadium for Wearing MAGA Cap [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.ibtimes.sg%2Fen%2Ffull%2F82730%2Fmichael-weitzel.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![Diehard Trump -Supporting Soccer Fan Thrown Out of MLS Stadium for Wearing MAGA Cap [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fibtimes.sg.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
International Business Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- International Business Times
Diehard Trump -Supporting Soccer Fan Thrown Out of MLS Stadium for Wearing MAGA Cap [WATCH]
A diehard Major League Soccer fan was removed from a stadium in Missouri for sporting a "Make America Great Again" hat during a match, according to a shocking footage from the game. Michael Weitzel was wearing the signature red hat bearing former President Trump's campaign slogan during the July 26 St. Louis City SC match at Energizer Park when security personnel approached him and told him to leave, with roughly 25 minutes left in the game. The video, first shared on X by journalist Greg Keller, shows Weitzel recording himself while being escorted out of the stadium by police for wearing the "Make America Great Again" hat at the venue. Pulled Up for No Mistake Michael Weitzel was thrown out from a MSL stadium for wearing a MAGA cap X The short encounter, recorded by Weitzel and shared on social media, took place after a complaint was made to stadium police during the middle of the game. "I didn't think there'd be any issue with wearing that to the game, but with about 25 minutes left in the game, I was basically told they'd received a complaint about my hat," the season ticket holder told KFTK's Marc Cox Morning Show. "They told me I could either hide the hat or take it out to my car or leave. I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody. I live in America, which is the land of the free and the home of the brave, I thought. So you do what you have to do." As Weitzel was being escorted out, a police officer—who said he also supports Trump—explained that he was simply carrying out the club's policy banning political expressions at the venue. In the background, the sound of boos and jeers can be heard. "He gets it, he's just following the rules," Weitzel says of the officer dealing with him. "It's not his fault. This is the stadium's rules here." Club's Own Rules Michael Weitzel seen being removed from the stadium for wearing a MAGA cap X The exact timing of the incident remains uncertain. Keller shared the video on August 2, saying it took place "last night," although the most recent St. Louis City match was a friendly against Premier League club Aston Villa on July 30. According to the Fan Code of Conduct on the soccer club's website, the 32-acre St. Louis stadium does not allow political banners, flags, images, or signs inside the venue unless they have received prior approval. Weitzel told KFTK that he was keeping to himself during the match, choosing to ignore other fans who were "giving him the finger," and said he was shocked that the current political atmosphere has led to situations like this. Now hesitant to go back to Energizer Stadium, he said that the incident has made him reconsider attending, despite having already bought tickets for the next three seasons to support the St. Louis team. "I do want to see them do well," Weitzel told the morning show. I don't really want to let the actions of a few small-minded people or a few angry complainers stop me from enjoying something that I love."
New York Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Diehard soccer fan kicked out of St. Louis stadium for wearing MAGA cap: ‘I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody'
It was a red card offense. A diehard Major League Soccer fan was kicked out of a Missouri stadium for wearing a 'Make America Great Again' hat during a match, according to shocking footage from the game. Michael Weitzel was sporting the signature red cap inspired by President Trump's campaign slogan at the July 26 St. Louis City SC soccer game at Energizer Park when security approached and asked him to leave with about 25 minutes remaining. 4 Michael Weitzel was sporting a MAGA hat inside Energizer Stadium when he was asked to leave. Michael Weitzel The brief incident, which Weitzel filmed and posted on social media, unfolded after someone filed a complaint with stadium police mid-game. 'I didn't think there'd be any issue with wearing that to the game, but with about 25 minutes left in the game, I was basically told they'd received a complaint about my hat,' the season ticket holder told KFTK's Mar Cox Morning Show. 'They told me I could either hide the hat or take it out to my car or leave. I'm not gonna take my hat off for anybody. I live in America, which is the land of the free and the home of the brave, I thought. So you do what you have to do.' A man got kicked out of a @stlCITYsc game last night for wearing a MAGA hat. Security said they don't allow political paraphernalia. Man then asked security what's up with the constant pride flags and trans banners at the games. They didn't like that either. — Gregg Keller (@RGreggKeller) August 2, 2025 The 32-acre St. Louis stadium prohibits political banners, flags, images, and signs inside the arena unless pre-approved, according to the Fan Code of Conduct listed on the soccer club's website. In Weitzel's video, he's seen wearing the MAGA hat and a red shirt as four security guards approach and calmly explain that the club doesn't allow political symbols inside the stadium and ask him to leave. 4 The video showed stadium police booting him for violating the club's rules. Michael Weitzel 'I'm being asked to leave by police. I am being threatened with arrest. They are asking me to leave,' Weitzel said as he's being escorted out of the match, with some onlookers jeering and booing behind him. 'I am being evicted from the premises because of Donald Trump – because we can't wear Donald Trump hats in public. Now I am being evicted from the premises. Trump is not welcome at St. Louis City SC club. Trump is not welcome here.' An officer leading Weitzel out of the building told him he was also a Trump supporter, but said he was simply enforcing the club's rules. 4 St. Louis CITY SC logo. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images 'He gets it, he's just following the rules,' Weitzel said, the footage shows. 'It's not his fault. This is the stadium's rules here. So that's what happens if you wear a Donald Trump hat to a St. Louis City Soccer Club game.' Weitzel told KFTK he was minding his own business during the game – ignoring attendees who were 'flipping him the bird' – and was stunned that today's political climate has sparked incidents like this. 4 The iconic red hat was inspired by President Trump, who is seen wearing it often around the White House. REUTERS He's now reluctant to return to Energizer Stadium, even after purchasing three years' worth of tickets to support the St. Louis team. 'I do want to see them do well,' Weitzel told the morning show. 'I don't really want to let the actions of a few small-minded people or a few angry complainers stop me from enjoying something that I love.'
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
WNBA game disrupted mid-play for second time in a week due to unexpected court incident
A WNBA game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Chicago Sky was temporarily stopped on August 1 after a bright green sex toy was thrown onto the court during the third quarter at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Officials briefly paused play to remove the object before resuming the game. Weird but true 🧐: The Golden State Valkyries 🟣⚫️⚔️ are now 2-0 when a bein green dildo has been thrown on the court — Golden State Valkyries Fan Report (@valkyriesreport) August 2, 2025 This was the second such incident in less than a week. A similar green sex toy was thrown onto the court during a game in Atlanta just four days earlier. Both events occurred during live play and involved fans tossing the object from the stands. Several players have since addressed the repeated incidents. Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed concern on social media, warning that someone could get hurt if such behavior continues. Chicago Sky center Elizabeth Williams called the action 'disrespectful' and said it detracts from the professionalism of the sport. The WNBA's Fan Code of Conduct prohibits throwing objects onto the court and allows for ejection of any fan who violates this policy. As of now, no individual responsible has been publicly identified or removed during either event.
