ORLANDO, Fla. — A billboard advertising Major League Soccer team Atlanta United playing Orlando City this weekend is gone.
The billboard was up for one day and officials with both teams said it was taken down as scheduled.
There are conflicting reports on whether it was vandalized before it was taken down.
While Orlando City Soccer Club officials said it was vandalized with paint, Atlanta United said nothing happened.
Both teams said the billboard was meant to come down Thursday.
The billboard incident happened after Channel 9 aired a story on posts by Atlanta fans comparing Friday's match to another Pulse terror attack.
Some believe the first time the teams meet Friday night will be the beginning of a new rivalry.
Regarding online comments by @ATLUTD fans, Jason Kreis says fans need to realize there is a line and this is still just a game. #Rivalry pic.twitter.com/nUgFR3IHR0
— Christian Bruey (@CBrueyWFTV) July 19, 2017
Officials said there is an MLS policy where a special home liaison will know a rough number of the supporters of the opposite team coming to the match.
Depending on how many, they come to a specific gate and are escorted as a group to a special section that will not be next to the main Orlando City supporter area.
If anyone wants to be in the Orlando City wall section, which is the most vocal part of the stadium, they must be wearing an Orlando City shirt or they’ll be asked to change at the checkpoint.
They must also have a specific supporter ticket, and security is present to keep anyone who doesn’t belong in the wall out.
Team officials said they are confident of their security plans.
Cox Media Group
