COLUMBUS – Security measures taken in the wake of terror attacks in Paris last month prohibited Buckeye fans from taking anything but see-through bags into Ohio Stadium but Columbus Crew SC officials find themselves including a couple of unusual items on the list of those that will be banned from MAPFRE Stadium for Sunday’s MLS Cup match.
Columbus Crew SC hosts Portland Timbers FC in the 2015 MLS Cup at MAPFRE Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Along with things like air horns, bottles and weapons, which are unwelcome an nearly all sporting events, stadium officials say fans are not allowed to bring in chainsaws or “logs of any wooden variety.”
Huh?
The Portland Timbers’ mascot, Timber Joey, uses a chainsaw to hack off slices of real log for every goal the team scores during home games and, this summer, Philadelphia Union fans mocked Joey’s tradition with a chainsaw of their own and some sliced bread.
“As part of our commitment to provide the safest environment possible, enhanced security procedures used out of an abundance of caution during the 2015 Eastern Conference Championship will remain in place for the 2015 MLS Cup, including the use of metal detectors at all points of entry,” stadium officials announced in a release.
The stadium gates will open two hours prior to the match and fans are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy pre-match festivities and to allow a little extra time to get through security.
A complete list of MAPFRE Stadium policies is available here.
Other prohibited items include drones, firearms, laser pointers and pyrotechnics: flares, smoke bombs and incendiary devices
Coolers, backpacks, duffel bags or luggage of any kind are not allowed but fans can bring in+ bags no larger than 14″ x 6″ x 14″, including camera bags, cinch sacks, diaper bags and purses.
All known available seats are sold out so the Crew SC will expand capacity of MAPFRE Stadium via temporary bleachers on the stage of the north side of the venue.