Police investigating fire at TD Place set by Toronto FC fans during soccer game

Ottawa police are investigating a fire that delayed Wednesday night’s Canadian Championship semifinal matchup between Toronto FC and the host Fury at TD Place Stadium in Ottawa.

The soccer game was delayed briefly late in the second half when TFC supporters set off flares and smoke bombs that led to fires in the stands that eventually made their way onto the pitch before being extinguished by security.

Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group says members of the TFC supporters group smuggled a “small quantity of fireworks into the stadium and ignited them during the second half of the match.”

No fans were injured and the perpetrators were ejected from the stadium.

The statement added that all members of the visiting group were subjected to bag checks and security scans prior to entering the stadium and that “no fireworks or other devices were detected.”

Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney apologized on behalf of his team in his post-game media scrum, saying that his club is “embarrassed about the incident.”

Fans of the Toronto soccer club have previously complained about having to share BMO Field with the Argonauts, citing potential damage to the turf as a primary concern.

https://twitter.com/FleckJordon/status/1019908566054985729

– CP