A jersey patch has created controversy within Chilliwack FC.

Members of CFCB次元官网网址檚 womenB次元官网网址檚 premier team say the youth soccer club has punished them for wearing an LGBTQI2S+ and BIPOC symbol on their uniform.

LGBTQI2S+ is a term that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, and two-spirit and BIPOC stands for black, Indigenous and people of colour.

The teamB次元官网网址檚 players wanted to show support for marginalized, underrepresented groups and met with the CFC board to present the idea. According to Brandon Lupton, a team supporter and partner to one of the players, the club expressed concern that the suggested patch could be negatively received and suggested that B次元官网网址淐hilliwack isnB次元官网网址檛 ready.B次元官网网址�

CFC chairperson Andrea Laycock said the conversation was more nuanced than that.

She said that while the board expressed support for the concepts of inclusivity and diversity, they felt a CFC jersey wasnB次元官网网址檛 the right place to make a political statement.

CFCB次元官网网址檚 adult liasion, Richard Tagle, said that following the initial meeting, his daughter Megan Tagle and three players from the womenB次元官网网址檚 team worked to come up with an alternative. They produced three words, B次元官网网址楻espect for ALL,B次元官网网址� which could be used on jerseys, used as a #hashtag on Twitter, and utilized in other ways.

B次元官网网址淭hree players had a long discussion with Megan and I,B次元官网网址� Tagle said. B次元官网网址淎fter that meeting, I met with the three plus the captain of the Div 1 team to discuss the proposal. The five of us came to an agreement to begin with B次元官网网址淩espect for ALLB次元官网网址� on the jersey, and the three would begin an educational video program on our website and social media to take steps to move towards an symbol to be placed on the jersey.

B次元官网网址淎t no time were we in disagreement with a symbol, but solely on the speed at which we would proceed. Again, all five were in agreement and I took that back to the board for approval.B次元官网网址�

Laycock thought it was a B次元官网网址済ood first step,B次元官网网址� and CFC planned to have the words on 1,200 jerseys in the association.

They still do.

But in the end the womenB次元官网网址檚 players werenB次元官网网址檛 satisfied and didnB次元官网网址檛 think the alternative went as far as they wanted. They opted to wear their preferred option on the sleeve of their jerseys.

That decision had immediate consequences.

B次元官网网址淎fter just one game, complaints from a bystander made their way to the chairperson of Chilliwack FC (Andrea Laycock),B次元官网网址� Lupton explained. B次元官网网址淔orty eight hours after the teamB次元官网网址檚 first game, they received an email stating that the board requested a meeting with them to discuss disciplinary action for the embellishment of the uniform.B次元官网网址�

A few days after the meeting, Lupton said three players received a two-game suspension and a warning of further discipline (longer suspension, or revoking of membership) if the misconduct continued.

The players appealed the ruling on the grounds of unfair and excessive disciplinary action, offering to accept a one game suspension.

Their appeal was denied.

Laycock said the players would have run afoul of the board putting anything on their jerseys, and the two-game suspension was upheld because their attempt to circumvent the wishes of the CFC board was B次元官网网址渄eliberate and premeditated.B次元官网网址�

She said nothing would have been done if the patch had appeared on hoodies or track pants or shoes.

B次元官网网址淏ut our policy is pretty clear that nothing goes on the jerseys without board approval,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲e are open to changing that, but it has to fall in line with our policies and our mandate of having kids on the field playing soccer. ItB次元官网网址檚 not that the board doesnB次元官网网址檛 support the idea of having a patch or a flag, but we have to be mindful of how we approach it and respect the community.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not incumbent on the executive to impose our political and personal beliefs on the membership. We have to be mindful of everybodyB次元官网网址檚 needs.B次元官网网址�

Tagle said CFC had no issue with the symbol itself, beyond its presence on the jerseys.

B次元官网网址淭he symbol could have been advertising for Chilliwack Ford or a cross or anything and we would have had the same issue,B次元官网网址� he noted. B次元官网网址淲hat is placed on the jersey, including colours, is solely the boardB次元官网网址檚 decision. This is to prevent symbols of hate, religion, adverts, etc. being placed on the jersey.

B次元官网网址淭his has nothing to do with what this particular symbol represents.B次元官网网址�

Lupton said the advocate players requested that the uniform policy be changed, with a policy amendment proposal submitted to include wearing symbols supporting social justice and commemoration, for example.

B次元官网网址淭his request has not yet been acknowledged by Chilliwack FC executive board,B次元官网网址� he noted.

Lupton said the situation is particularly frustrating with professional sport leagues such as the NCAA, NBA, and NFL supporting the use of patches and stickers related to social justice issues.

B次元官网网址淎 community soccer clubB次元官网网址檚 decision to punish players for showing support for statements that align with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and genuine human inclusion is unacceptable,B次元官网网址� Lupton said. B次元官网网址淭he unprofessional handling and conduct of this issue by the Chilliwack FC board is appalling and needs to be acknowledged to create change.B次元官网网址�

Laycock said CFC board felt strongly that B次元官网网址楻espect for ALLB次元官网网址� would get a conversation started, and the board stands by their choice.

B次元官网网址淭he words can represent LGBTQI2S+ and BIPOC, but they can also be applied to 101 things like respect for your opponents, your teammates, officials, your community,B次元官网网址� Laycock said. B次元官网网址淲e felt it was a good first step and an opportunity to grow and educate as we continue.B次元官网网址�

eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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