TORONTO, ON – Multiple student-athletes and supporters of visiting schools have alleged a series of inappropriate behaviour from Carleton Ravens Men’s Soccer supporters, including threats, spitting and the use of racist and homophobic language during last week’s U SPORTS Men’s National Soccer Championship.
The Carleton Ravens played three teams at their home field, The Ravens Perch, during the U SPORTS National Championships, defeating the UBC Thunderbirds and Cape Breton Capers before falling to the Montreal Carabins in the Championship Final.
In the quarterfinal match against UBC, supporters allegedly attacked the visiting student-athletes with anti-Asian remarks and homophobia. “Throughout the game, I would hear from the crowd racist Asian remarks and homophobic slurs to our team,” one UBC player said. “The fact we all heard it on the field should show how loud, consistent, and distinct these chants were throughout the entirety of the game.”
A second UBC player told 49 Sports that several supporters shouted racist and homophobic remarks throughout the match; however, that one individual shouted several slurs at players of the team from outside the main stand at Raven’s Perch. “I felt sickened at the fact that there are some that still feel this type of language and behaviour is okay,” he said.
The individual also allegedly attempted to stand behind the goal in the penalty shootout between Carleton and UBC, however, was not able to.
In the semifinal match between Carleton and Cape Breton, Ravens supporters allegedly targeted the student-athletes and Head Coach Deano Morley. Several sources have told 49 Sports chants of “Dildo Deano” could be heard from the crowd.
While specifics were not made available by Cape Breton student-athletes, one source told 49 Sports, “They said some things they wouldn’t have said in front of their mothers.”
The Montreal v Carleton Final
During the National final on Sunday, Nov. 21, Carleton supporters allegedly threatened and spat at travelling supporters of the Montreal Carabins, known as the “Carabins Ultras.”
“A few fans threatened to fight; it was ten or so of us Carabins fans and 2000 for Carleton,” one travelling Montreal supporter said.
Police guarded the Carabins Ultras against the Carleton supporters, and some were taken away from the main stand with their safety in mind. In the 80th-90th minute period, Carleton supporters allegedly spat on the “Carabins Ultras” and attempted to hit them repeatedly.
“We were shocked, and we were very afraid,” another travelling Carabins supporter told 49 Sports.
The Bronson Boys, the official Carleton Ravens Men’s Soccer Supporters Group, released the following statement on Friday afternoon.