Chicago Fire formally reinstates Sector Latino — nearly 3 years after permanently revoking the ardent fan group’s supporter privileges
CHICAGO — Nearly three years after permanently revoking the supporter privileges of Sector Latino Chicago, the Fire on Friday announced the ardent fan group formally has been reinstated.
The group will return starting with the Fire’s match against Inter Miami CF on May 22 at Soldier Field, the team said.
Sector Latino’s formal return comes after the majority of the 2018 season was overshadowed by a clash between fans and the club.
The Fire in June 2018 revoked Sector Latino’s privileges — which include the ability to bring in instruments and display banners, signage and other tifo — and canceled and refunded ticket holders in Section 101 of what is now SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for what the team said were repeated violations of Major League Soccer’s “Fan Code of Conduct.”
At the time, the Fire said violations dated back at least 12 months, including a fight in the parking lot between members of Sector Latino and Houston Dynamo fans that May.
Then-Fire President and general manager Nelson Rodríguez told the Chicago Tribune in 2018 that the club asked representatives from Sector Latino and Section 8 Chicago — the Independent Supporters Association that represents affiliated supporters groups and independent fans — to identify the individuals involved in the fight, which was seen in security footage.
“If we can identify the bad actors, we’ll deal with the bad actors,” Rodriguez told the Tribune. “But if the group is unwilling or unable or, worse, hides others in their midst, it’s unacceptable. We can’t allow that.”
The move to revoke Sector Latino’s privileges and the closing of Section 101 inspired protests, including a group of fans who entered the section during a July match against Toronto FC. That action — the nature of which was disputed by the Fire and fans — resulted in a seasonlong ban for 21 people.
After issuing the ban, the Fire said they were willing to discuss issues with Section 8 but would not change their stance on Sector Latino.
“If the request is to have a meeting about Sector Latino, that decision has been made and is not going to change,” Rodríguez told the Tribune. “If they want to have a meeting on other topics, of course we’re open.”
During the following offseason, the Fire and Section 8 extended an olive branch and agreed to create a new supporters section on the south end of SeatGeek.
Fire loan Andre Reynolds to Memphis 901 FC
The Fire on Friday sent defender Andre Reynolds on loan to United Soccer League team Memphis 901 FC for the 2021 season.
Reynolds, who signed a homegrown deal with the Fire in 2019, has had limited opportunities the last two seasons through a combination of injuries and depth at left back. He played just 16 minutes across two league appearances last season.
“I’m feeling the best I’ve felt in about two years, so I’m super excited to get going,” Reynolds, 20, told the Tribune in February. “They’re going to make the decision that they’re going to make for what they feel is best for me and my development, but I’m going into the season with the mindset of trying to earn a spot and trying to be a major contributor to this team.”
The Fire retain the option to recall Reynolds from Memphis.
