Latest news with #fanbehavior
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
SFA want to avoiding using new banning powers over pyro use
The Scottish FA can now ban clubs from the Scottish Cup if fans throw pyrotechnics - but chief executive Ian Maxwell insists they want to avoid that the association's Annual General Meeting on Thursday, clubs agreed to an increase in the powers to award sanctions against clubs whose fans continue to disrupt games by their use of Scottish FA's powers now mirror those of the SPFL, who oversee the domestic leagues and League could range from fines and ticket allocation restrictions, to the ultimate sanction of expulsion from the national cup competition."You would absolutely never want to get to that stage, and we need to look at the steps that we can take to avoid that," Maxwell told BBC Sport recent years, Uefa have closed either all or sections of stadiums where fans have misbehaved. And earlier this year, Celtic and Rangers - as well as Motherwell - were charged by the SPFL after fans disrupted both League Cup semi-finals with flares and had 500 tickets removed from their allocation for the final."It's been documented in Uefa sanctions that the threat of ticket reductions has an impact - and the SPFL have used that after the League Cup semi-finals - so maybe that's something that we need to consider," Maxwel added."The changes we have made to our rules will mean we can now work more with the SPFL to help eradicate that."Maxwell would not say if this was a step towards strict in European competition under Uefa's jurisdiction have been subject to those rules but Scottish authorities - led by the clubs - have held off on applying those rules domestically. "Uefa have had strict liability for a long time, which has involved fining clubs, but there's no consequence to the individual on that," Maxwell added."It's the club that gets fined, so the supporter doesn't link that back to his or her behaviour. So it's about creating that jeopardy and creating that consequence for the behaviour that we're trying to remove.""We've got hundreds of thousands of people that come and watch our games on a weekend, and we need to make sure that environment is energetic and is noisy. We don't want to quell that, but fundamentally it has to be safe."
Fox News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Angel Reese not asked about WNBA finding no evidence of alleged hateful comments toward her
During the Chicago Sky's postgame press conference on Tuesday night after a 94-89 loss to the Phoenix Mercury, Sky star Angel Reese was not questioned about the WNBA investigation that could not substantiate claims of hateful comments reportedly toward her. A live feed of the postgame press conference posted to the team's X account did not show Reese addressing the league's Tuesday announcement of not substantiating the claims. The WNBA was investigating the alleged "hateful fan comments" that were alleged to have occurred after Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark fouled Reese in the third quarter of the teams' season opener on May 17. The Associated Press reported the remarks were directed toward Reese. However, after investigating over the last week, the league did not find sufficient evidence to validate the allegations. "We have investigated the report of racist fan behavior in the vicinity of the court during the May 17, 2025, Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever game," the league said in a Tuesday statement. "Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it. "The WNBA is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and will continue to be vigilant in enforcing our fan code of conduct." Reese was asked earlier this month if she was able to provide the WNBA with details about the incident. She did not offer specifics on whether she had done so, saying "that's not a me question." She also did not reveal what type of comments were made or any other specifics about what prompted the investigation. However, moments earlier, in that same availability with reporters, Reese said she was receiving widespread support from across the league because of the alleged incident. "Obviously, there's no place in this league for that," Reese said at that time. "I think the WNBA and our team and our organization has done a great job supporting me. ... Going through this whole process, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone." Reese has previously accused Clark's fans of racism and even alleged they created AI-generated explicit images of the Sky star and sent them to her family members. "I think it's really just the fans, her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, that are really just, they ride for her, and I respect that, respectfully. But sometimes it's very disrespectful. I think there's a lot of racism when it comes to it," Reese said in the first episode of her podcast in early September. "Multiple occasions, people have made AI-images of me naked. They have sent it to my family members. My family members are like uncles, sending it to me like, 'Are you naked on Instagram?' Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
The Guardian
28-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
WNBA says it cannot substantiate claims of racism towards Angel Reese at Fever
The WNBA says it cannot substantiate claims that racist fan behavior took place during a game in Indianapolis between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever earlier this month. The league said its investigation included gathering information from fans, team and arena staff, as well as an audio and video review of the game. 'We appreciate the quick action by the league and the Indiana Fever to take this matter seriously and to investigate,' Chicago Sky CEO and president Adam Fox said in a statement. 'This process demonstrates the league's strong stance on stopping hate at all WNBA games and events, and we will continue to support those efforts.' The WNBA was looking into claims that racist comments were directed toward Chicago's Angel Reese by fans during the loss to Caitlin Clark and the Fever. Indiana won the game 93-58. Clark was called for a flagrant-1 foul on her longtime rival Reese during the game, which led to a brief confrontation between the players. The pair's rivalry started in college and has continued into the WNBA. Clark is white and Reese is Black, and there has been racist and misogynistic abuse online around their relationship. Clark later said she did not hear any racist remarks during that game, but acknowledged that it was loud in Indiana's arena throughout the game. 'It's super loud in here, and though I didn't hear anything, I think that's why they're doing the investigation,' Clark said earlier this month. 'That's why they're looking into it. That doesn't mean nothing happened, so I'll just trust the league's investigation, and I'm sure they'll do the right thing.' Reese brushed aside questions about the investigation before Tuesday night's game against the Phoenix Mercury, saying she was 'focused on the game today' and more concerned about helping the Sky earn their first win of the season after an 0-3 start. Chicago coach Tyler Marsh echoed his star forward's feelings. 'We appreciate the investigation being done and we hope that the league continues to make the steps necessary moving forward to ensure a safe environment for everyone, all players included,' Marsh said. 'But tonight, the focus is on the game.' Both teams had previously issued statements supporting the investigation, as did the WNBA players association. The WNBPA did not issue any immediate comment after the league's announcement. 'We appreciate the swift and thorough process undertaken by the WNBA to investigate these allegations, which were not substantiated,' Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said on Tuesday. 'At Gainbridge Fieldhouse, we are committed to providing the best possible basketball experience for players and fans where hate speech has absolutely no place. Indiana is home to the world's greatest fans, and we look forward to an exciting season of Fever basketball.' Reese was asked earlier this month if she was able to provide the WNBA with details about the incident. She did not offer specifics on if she had done so, saying 'that's not a me question.' She also did not reveal what type of comments were made, or any other specifics about what prompted the investigation. But moments earlier, in that same availability with reporters, Reese said she was receiving widespread support from across the league because of the alleged incident. 'Obviously, there's no place in this league for that,' Reese said at that time. 'I think the WNBA and our team and our organization has done a great job supporting me. ... Going through this whole process, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.'
Reuters
28-05-2025
- General
- Reuters
WNBA cannot substantiate hateful fan comments toward Angel Reese
May 28 - The WNBA said Tuesday it could not verify allegations of hateful fan behavior in the Indiana Fever's season opener against the Chicago Sky earlier this month. "We have investigated the report of racist fan behavior in the vicinity of the court during the May 17, 2025, Chicago Sky at Indiana Fever game," the statement read. "Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it. The WNBA is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and will continue to be vigilant in enforcing our fan code of conduct." The league did not identify the target of the alleged comments, but multiple outlets reported that they were directed at Sky forward Angel Reese. The game featured a tense moment between Reese and Fever rival Caitlin Clark after Clark fouled Reese to prevent a layup in the third quarter. Reese became incensed and attepted to confront Clark. Clark's foul was upgraded to a flagrant-1, and Reese was awarded two free throws. Both players sought to move on when asked about it after the game. The league did not say what prompted its investigation, which was announced the day after the teams played. Clark later defended Reese by saying there was "no place" for racism or hateful comments in the WNBA and that she trusted the league's investigation. --Field Level Media
Washington Post
27-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
WNBA says probe did not substantiate alleged racist fan comments
A WNBA investigation did not produce confirmation of allegations that hateful comments were made from the stands during a recent game between the Indiana Fever and the visiting Chicago Sky, the league announced Tuesday. Saying it looked into 'the report of racist fan behavior in the vicinity of the court' during the high-profile contest, the WNBA stated: 'Based on information gathered to date, including from relevant fans, team and arena staff, as well as audio and video review of the game, we have not substantiated it. The WNBA is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for everyone and will continue to be vigilant in enforcing our fan code of conduct.'
