Controversy over smoke in the stands at Trinity Health Stadium has erupted ahead of Hartford's USL Championship game against Sporting Club Jacksonville on Wednesday night.
The Blazing Musket understands that on Monday, officers from the Hartford Police Department removed several items from a shipping container at Trinity Health Stadium. That container was used for storage by Hartford Athletic Supporters Groups, The Bonanza and Raza Brava. It is unclear exactly what items were removed. Online rumors suggested that HPD had ‘raided’ the container and removed items that they considered ‘illegal,’ but a club representative disputed this in a statement to The Blazing Musket, saying “HPD did not raid the supporters groups' container, and nothing was seized. HPD personnel went in to properly dispose of previously used items; no unused items were taken.”
HPD had not responded to a request for comment at time of publication.
In the same statement, the club representative added, “ we communicated a temporary restriction to the supporters groups. At our last match, unauthorized smoke bombs were used, and the fire marshal was made aware of the incident by other fans in the area. Given the tight turnaround before our next match, we've put a temporary pause on smoke and flares in place while we work directly with the supporters groups and the State of Connecticut on a plan to safely implement them going forward.”
A representative for The Bonanza declined to comment, but The Blazing Musket understands that the Supporters Groups will implement a ‘blackout’ during tonight's game against Sporting Club Jacksonville, with no singing, chanting, or drumming.
This is a developing story.
