Sports

Red Bulls offer to pay fans to stop chanting ‘You suck A-hole’

MLS has been on a decade-long mission to clean up some of its hardcore supporters’ behavior and language, taking particular umbrage with the popular and vulgar “You suck a**hole!” chant. Some teams have struggled to wean their fans off “YSA,” so the Red Bulls have taken a novel approach – cash.

Some call it an exceptional gesture of reaching out, while other hard-liners call it selling out. But the end result is this: If booster groups manage to actually go four consecutive games without the “YSA” chant, the club will give them $2,000 that they can put towards Tifos, bus trips, batteries for their megaphones, whatever.

It’s not as much Stay Classy South Ward as it is Buy Some Class on Our Dime.

“We were thinking what can we do to make our fans feel more at home in the arena and at same time abide by the code of conduct,’’ Red Bulls GM Jerome de Bontin told the Post. “The fans are very important to the success of the club and looking at the numbers, how they are organized, what can we do to help them grow the numbers that would be meaningful to them?

“We need to attract more people to the different supporter groups, so we went through and what I discovered after I came on in October is there were a few songs and chants that were not really appropriate, in particular YSA…Together we decided to sit down with them to help them grow their ranks and convince them it would not be the right attitude going forward.

“We have a fan code of conduct. Maybe my predecessor didn’t pay (attention). But we have to make sure everybody abides by this code of conduct, make sure everyone in the arena feels (comfortable). We wanted to show our support and commitment to what those groups stand for, but at the same time, if the club is going to grow and have success, we need them to stop some of the songs and chants we didn’t feel are appropriate.’’

The chant is generally hurled at opposing keepers during goalkicks. While Philadelphia and Seattle managed to curb the YSA chants – which I won’t call sophomoric, because I don’t want to insult sophomores – in some cases it’s been like trying to deal with a petulant child. They’ll keep doing something for no other reason than they’ve been told not to. Any parent that’s gone through the Terrible Twos would understand.

This isn’t a new development. MLS has fought the chant for a decade, with commissioner Don Garber coming out particularly strong during a game last season at Red Bull Arena. The league has dealt with angry letters from fans offended by the YSA chants, and there are also concerns from TV networks and sponsors.

Now, the Red Bulls – one of four clubs trying to crack down on YSA – have offered a carrot in the form of cash. The Boards of the three supporters groups in the South Ward – the Empire Supporters Club, Viking Army and Garden State Ultras – passed along the following to their members:

“As many of you know, we, the leadership of all three South Ward Supporters Groups, have been trying for some time to move past YSA (You Suck A-hole chant during goal kicks). Although we’ve made some progress of late, MLS and the RBNY FO feel as though they need to step in to accelerate the process. This is a league-wide effort on their part, and as you have already seen elsewhere, we are not the only team’s supporters to receive the letter, which can be found at the link below.

“It is important that you understand how strongly we feel about, and how seriously we take, the implications and potential slippery slope of being told what we can and can’t say/sing. And, that is something that we will actively resist if/when we feel is necessary. In this instance, however, we feel that getting rid of YSA at this juncture can only help us in the future in that regard.

“We value the working relationship we have with the RBNY FO – something which most SGs around the league can’t say – including logistical and financial help with away travel, storage facilities at RBA, Tifo, discounted tickets, and other assistance when we’ve asked for it. As you can see in the letter (link below), MLS and RBNY FO have made it clear that there may be consequences if we don’t step up our efforts with regard to YSA. All we ask is that you continue to bring the noise for all 90 minutes, including when the opposing keeper takes a goal kick. Just Keep Singing. The rest will take care of itself.’’

“Providing those trips with more money for those group so they could help traveling, tifo, all things that come with supporters group, we’re willing to do so because we like that they add to the arena. As long as they don’t go overboard with YSA and other things they hurt us all. They hurt themselves and they hurt us,’’ said de Bontin, who arrived last October and is charge of business operations.

“I wanted to come up with a system, a carrot or a stick. Let’s help them, show we believe in what they stand for. But if some of the members are not willing to abide, we will have to use the stick….If we need to take measures, taking things away from them – or some of them – we have to. We want them to understand that we can be generous, but also firm as well.’’

It remains to be seen what’s more effective, the carrot or the stick. Or the rod.

“The ESC Board supports the front office’s effort to stop YSA within the South Ward,’’ said ESC board member Rob Hak, who declined to discuss any ESC vote on the topic. But there is a segment of hardcores that are opposed to accepting the offer admittedly because of perception, not any logical rationale.

“They showed real support for the idea, and understand the benefit. The leaders all showed willingness to work with us. They have influence and we count on them to use their influence,’’ said de Bontin. “We’re encouraged. We feel they heard us. It’s my personal feeling they want to deal with somebody who wants to work with them.’’