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Toronto FC suspends all supporters groups after fans set fire to stadium in Ottawa

Toronto FC has suspended all of its supporters groups indefinitely after fans set fire to TD Place Stadium in Ottawa on Wednesday night. 

In the second half of TFC's Canadian Championship semifinal first leg against the Ottawa Fury, a fire broke out in the away fans' section. 

The match had to be delayed as flares and fireworks led to a fire in the stands that eventually made its way onto the pitch. 

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Security guards were forced to extinguish the fires, with no injuries reported.

After the game, the Fury release a statement saying that TFC fans had illegally smuggled fireworks into the stadium, and that the perpetrators had been ejected. 

The Fury even said that the Ottawa police and fire department had to be dispatched to the stadium because of the incident. 

There were more repercussions to come on Thursday, as Toronto FC president Bill Manning announced the suspension of all his team's supporters groups. 

“The safety of our fans, employees and supporters is the highest priority for TFC," Manning said in a club release.

"The events which took place in Ottawa last night involving TFC supporters were unacceptable and needlessly put the safety of others at risk.

"Due to the seriousness of this incident we are left with no choice but to suspend all recognized supporter group privileges indefinitely as we conduct a thorough review of TFC’s recognized supporter program.

"We are fully cooperating with the Ottawa Police Department as they investigate this incident and work to identify those responsible."

Toronto FC won Wednesday's match 1-0, with the second leg set for next Wednesday in Toronto.

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