Latest news with #ImmigrantCityFC
The Guardian
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
NWSL's Angel City wear ‘Immigrant City Football Club' shirts after Los Angeles raids
Angel City, Los Angeles' NWSL team, wore shirts that proclaimed themselves 'Immigrant City Football Club' before Saturday night's game against the North Carolina Courage. The team also printed 10,000 t-shirts bearing the same message, with 'Los Angeles is for Everyone' on the back in English and Spanish, and gave them to fans at the game. The move was in solidarity with immigrants in the city who have been targeted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Protests over Donald Trump's immigration policies broke out in Los Angeles a week ago. Members of the marines and national guard have been sent into the city and dozens of similar protests have broken out nationwide. 'Football, the game that we all love, we have it here because of immigrants,' said Angel City captain Ali Riley after the game, which her team lost 2-1. 'It's played the way it is because of immigrants. This club that is such a huge part of me wouldn't be here without immigrants.' Singer Becky G, who is one of the club's founding investors alongside figures such as Natalie Portman and Serena Williams, also read a statement before the game. 'The fabric of this city is made of immigrants,' she said. 'Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants.' Women's soccer players have a long history of speaking out on social and political issues. The US women's national team was at the forefront of campaigning for equal pay in soccer, while stars such as Megan Rapinoe have been critical of Trump's policies during his two terms as president. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion Angel City is one of the most commercially successful women's football teams in the world. The club's average attendance this season is just over 17,000, the highest in the NWSL.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'Immigrant City' - Angel City respond to LA raids
Los Angeles-based side Angel City wore shirts reading 'Immigrant City Football Club' before their home National Women's Soccer League game against North players' show of support was a response to the ongoing raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the resulting protests in Los club printed 10,000 T-shirts which read 'Immigrant City Football Club' on the front and 'Los Angeles is for everyone / Los Angeles es para todos' on the were handed shirts when they entered BMO Stadium, while Angel City management and coaching staff also wore them."Los Angeles is and always will be an immigrant city," said Angel City's senior social media co-ordinator Yaoziuatl Martinez. "'Immigrant City FC' points to the make-up of not just the city itself and how we represent it, but who our team is."Our team is made up of immigrants. Our staff is made up of immigrants. It's just very plainly reflecting what and who we are as an organisation."Before kick-off singer and actress Becky G, an Angel City founding investor and LA native, read a statement from the club that was distributed in card form to read: "The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants."Speaking after the 2-1 defeat, Angel City defender and club captain Ali Riley said: "Football, the game that we all love, we have it here because of immigrants."It's played the way it is because of immigrants. This club that is such a huge part of me wouldn't be here without immigrants."Earlier this week the NWSL Players Association released a statement in conjunction with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) Players Association about the read: "We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go."Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We know not every situation is simple. But offering compassion should never be up for debate."The NWSL has not made a weekend Los Angeles FC fans unfurled an 'Abolish ICE' banner in the stands before kick-off and sat in silence throughout the 3-1 MLS victory over Sporting Kansas Gold Cup match against the Dominican Republic in LA on Saturday passed without Friday Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum urged US authorities not to conduct immigration enforcement targeting fans at SoFi Stadium in Mexico team were forced to change hotels before the match because of security considerations.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Angel City FC players wear ‘Immigrant City Football Club' shirts amid ongoing immigration raids
Angel City FC responded to immigration raids and the resulting protests in Los Angeles during Saturday night's home match against North Carolina. The NWSL club printed 10,000 t-shirts which read 'Immigrant City Football Club' on the front, and 'Los Angeles is for everyone / Los Ángeles es para todos' on the back. The shirts were distributed to supporters and fans entering BMO Stadium. Some ACFC players wore the shirts during player arrivals, and new head coach Alexander Straus also sported the shirt along with the rest of the club's technical staff and players on the bench. Advertisement Angel City distributed cards with a new statement following their initial statement released on June 7. The cards read in part, 'The fabric of this city is made of immigrants. Football does not exist without immigrants. This club does not exist without immigrants.' Recording artist and founding investor Becky G read that message from the field before player walk-outs. Angel City worked with supporters groups in the lead up to Saturday's match on the messaging and larger action. Earlier this week, the NWSL Players Association released a statement in conjunction with the WNBA Players Association regarding the ongoing immigration raids. 'We stand with all people seeking safety, dignity, and opportunity, no matter where they come from or where they hope to go,' the statement read. 'Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. We know not every situation is simple. But offering compassion should never be up for debate.' The league itself has not issued a statement of any kind addressing the immigration raids or in support of immigrants. Some individual clubs, including Angel City and Chicago Stars FC, have released brief statements pointing to relevant resources. Angel City's coordinated action on Saturday night is an elevated response following the events of the past week. Last weekend at BMO Stadium, Los Angeles FC supporters remained silent through the MLS club's 3-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City. They also took up six rows of seats in the supporters' end of the stadium for a large banner reading: 'Abolish ICE.' Advertisement That banner, and others, technically violated both the MLS Code of Conduct and stadium policies, but it appears no action was taken. Angel City, as a tenant of BMO Stadium, may not have the same ability to prevent stadium staff from removing banners or other signage that may violate stadium policies or NWSL's Code of Conduct. BMO Stadium rules reference MLS's guidelines, rather than the NWSL's. The list of prohibited items per stadium policies include 'flags, banners or signs which in any way reference current conflicts or countries involved therein (in accordance with MLS Guidelines)' as well as 'flags, banners, signs, clothing or other accessories or adornments that reference any political party, candidate (current or former), or measure in any Federal, State, or Local election.' Angel City's regular-season match is happening on the same night as a Concacaf Gold Cup match between Mexico and the Dominican Republic at SoFi Stadium, as well as the opening match of FIFA's men's Club World Cup in Miami. Earlier this week, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol removed a social media post referencing its presence at the Club World Cup games after FIFA expressed concern. BMO Stadium is currently outside of the area of Los Angeles under a nighttime curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Advertisement This article originally appeared in The Athletic. Angel City, NWSL, women's sports 2025 The Athletic Media Company
