Latest news with #MichaelWeitzel
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Kicked out of soccer game for wearing MAGA cap, fan says
A soccer fan claims he was booted out of a St Louis City game for wearing a Make America Great Again cap. Footage shows a man identified as Michael Weitzel being escorted from the stadium wearing the distinctive red headgear. 'I am being evicted from the premises because of Donald Trump - because we can't wear Donald Trump hats in public,' Weizel says in a clip first shared by reporter Greg Keller on X. 'Now I am being evicted from the premises. Trump is not welcome at St Louis City SC club. Trump is not welcome here. 'I'm being asked to leave by the police. I am being threatened with arrest. They are asking me to leave.' A police officer escorting Weitzel out of the stadium can be heard explaining that he is a Trump supporter too but has to carry out the club's rules banning political statements at the stadium. Booing and jeering can also be heard in the background. '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.' It is unclear precisely when the incident happened. Keller posted the video on August 2, saying it occurred 'last night.' But the most recent St Louis City game was held on July 30 - a friendly game against Premier League team Aston Villa. Major League Soccer fan code of conduct rules state on its website that supporters are not allowed to make political gestures through their clothing at games. Listed in the prohibited section of the MLS website, the rule says: 'Displaying signs, symbols or images for commercial purposes or for electioneering, campaigning or advocating for or against any candidate, political party, legislative issue, or government action.' St Louis City SC, when contacted for comment, directed Daily Mail to those guidelines and offered no further statement. The fan appears to be told by security that his ban only covers the game in question and that he would be allowed back in the future. Keller, meanwhile, later said that the the video is being reviewed by the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, which the Daily Mail has contacted for comment. MLS has also been offered the chance to speak about the video. The same issue has arisen in other sports across the United States. Last October, San Francisco 49ers fans said they were stopped from bringing Trump merchandise into Levi's Stadium before an NFL game. The fans in question shared video to TikTok showing stadium security telling them to throw their hat away or to leave the stadium. The woman who uploaded the footage said it caused a 45-minute dispute before security eventually relented and let the family in - although they missed the beginning of the game. Ironically, after the 49ers beat the Dallas Cowboys on October 27, San Francisco guard Nick Bosa gatecrashed a post-game interview wearing a white MAGA cap. He was fined $11,255 by the NFL. According to league rules, players are prohibited from displaying a personal message or non-sponsored branding 'at any point throughout a game day when visible at the stadium and TV audience, including postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field.' Bosa was unapologetic, telling reporters: 'I haven't got one (a fine) yet, but if it comes, it comes. It was well worth it.' After Trump won last November's election, Bosa largely stayed silent aside from saying: 'Clearly, the nation spoke. And we got what we got what we want.'
![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
5 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."
Sky News AU
5 days ago
- Sport
- Sky News AU
Soccer fan shockingly booted from stadium for wearing a ‘Make America Great Again' hat
A Major League Soccer fan was abruptly escorted out of a stadium for sporting a 'Make America Great Again' cap. The fan, who identified himself as Michael Weitzel, filmed himself as he was 'asked to leave' by the stadium's security. Weitzel, whose video was later posted to X by another user, attended St. Louis City's home game at the club's stadium, Energizer Park. The game Weitzel attended and was later removed from was St. Louis City's 2-1 loss to Minnesota on Saturday, July 26. During the fan's exchange with security and law enforcement, he explained he was 'asked to leave because of the Donald Trump hat.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sports Fan Kicked Out Of Stadium For Wearing 'Make America Great Again' Hat
Sports Fan Kicked Out Of Stadium For Wearing 'Make America Great Again' Hat originally appeared on The Spun. Apparently, there's at least one team in the MLS that forbids fans from wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat. A man who identified himself as Michael Weitzel recently shared a video of him being "asked to leave" Energizer Park, the home of St. Louis City Soccer Club. The video starts with him having a lengthy chat with a security guard who admits that he also supports President Donald Trump. "I am Michael Weitzel and I have been asked to leave because of the Donald Trump hat," he says at the start of the video. The security guard then tells Weitzel, "They're non-political here… they don't want any kind of political messaging." As Weitzel was being escorted out of the stadium, he kept saying that Trump "isn't welcome" at Energizer Park. One of the security staff members then suggested that he could return to his seat if he gets rid of his MAGA hat. Another staffer, however, informed Weitzel that he was "way past that point." Unsurprisingly, this incident at Energizer Park sparked quite a debate on social media. "What happened to keeping politics of our sports? The same people [expletive] about this are the ones who were mad at Kaepernick for kneeling. But know you're mad these sports leagues have put in rules for this? Bunch of hypocrites," one person wrote on X. "So in St. Louis this year, there were 66 murders, 67 kidnapping, 28 rapes, and 1,335 aggravated assaults. But there were four security personnel here to forcibly evict a peaceful soccer fan wearing a MAGA hat," another person said. "Is the message that you do not want us in the city of St. Louis?" "We can all agree that St Louis CITY SC is a trash product on the field, [expletive] ownership and now kicking out conservatives while they are minding their own business. Please get this worthless franchise out of STL," a third person declared. Energizer Park has stated that political banners aren't allowed on the premises. It's unclear if MAGA hats are actually included in their ban. St. Louis City SC has not yet commented on this viral incident. The next home match for St. Louis City SC is set to take place this upcoming Friday. We'll see if another MAGA-related incident breaks Fan Kicked Out Of Stadium For Wearing 'Make America Great Again' Hat first appeared on The Spun on Aug 3, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
New York Post
5 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.'
