CF Montreal has banned two supporters and stripped an entire section of its privileges following a Major League Soccer investigation into antisemitic chants directed at New England Revolution forward Dor Turgeman during an August 1 match at Stade Saputo. The club announced the sanctions on August 15, capping a two-week probe into abuse that turned a routine 2-2 draw into a league-wide reckoning over hate speech in the stands.
The trouble began in the 36th minute, when Turgeman scored to put New England ahead 2-0 and celebrated with his arms outstretched and a hand cupped to his ear. CF Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza confronted him and shoved him to the ground, drawing a yellow card as fans threw objects onto the pitch, according to CBC News. Witnesses and reporters at the game said fans in the stands had directed chants including “Free Palestine” and “Death to Israel” at Turgeman before and during his celebration, as reported by The Guardian. The abusive chants were captured on broadcast microphones during the match.
Turgeman, 22, joined the Revolution in August 2025 from Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv under MLS's U22 Initiative, in a $6 million transfer deal running through the 2028 season. He won two Israeli Premier League titles with Maccabi Tel Aviv and represents Israel's senior national team, per background provided by the New England Revolution.
Revolution Reported Abuse Immediately, Backed League Probe
The Revolution issued a statement on August 3 confirming the club had reported the verbal abuse against Turgeman to MLS right after the final whistle and fully supported the league's investigation, according to reporting from The Boston Globe. The club condemned the antisemitic and discriminatory abuse directed at Turgeman and affirmed zero tolerance for discrimination while rallying behind their player. Major League Soccer's Fan Code of Conduct explicitly bars signs, symbols, language, or gestures that are threatening, abusive, or discriminatory based on religion, ethnicity, race, or national origin, with violators facing ejection or permanent bans.
The Globe's reporting notes the Revolution has since enhanced security measures and strengthened its anti-discrimination initiatives through expanded in-stadium education and awareness efforts. The club has engaged directly with supporters as part of those initiatives and says it welcomes continued input from local Jewish community organizations. The Revolution has also said it is committed to ensuring Stade Saputo is welcoming to players, supporters, employees, and guests of every background.
Section Privileges Suspended, Two Fans Banned Indefinitely
CF Montreal's August 15 statement, issued after the club hosted D.C. United, suspended all official supporter group privileges for that match and revoked privileges indefinitely for the section identified during the investigation. The club also issued indefinite bans to two fans for throwing objects and violating the MLS Fan Code of Conduct, the Globe reported. CF Montreal pledged that anyone else identified as having taken part in antisemitic chants or discriminatory behavior will face a permanent ban from all club events, and said it will continue efforts to identify additional individuals involved.
It isn't the first time Stade Saputo's stands have drawn discipline. The club indefinitely closed Section 132 and banned the Ultras Montreal 2002 supporter group in September 2021 after repeated incidents of physical aggression, intimidation, and unauthorized pyrotechnics, according to Global News. Section 132 had historically served as the designated home section for organized supporter groups at the stadium.
Jewish Groups Push for Binding Policy Changes
In the days after the incident, Canadian Jewish advocacy organizations including B'nai Brith Canada formally urged CF Montreal to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism and provide IHRA training to team staff. The organizations welcomed the club's condemnation of the abuse but called for binding educational measures rather than statements alone, per B'nai Brith Canada. CF Montreal has said it is consulting with local Jewish community organizations to expand in-stadium education.
The incident landed amid a broader rise in reported anti-Jewish hate incidents nationally. Canadian law enforcement and community organization data recorded 788 documented antisemitic incidents across Canada in 2025, a trend that has fueled calls from civic leaders for heightened security and anti-bias accountability at major public venues. It remains unclear how many additional fans, if any, will be identified through CF Montreal's ongoing video review, or whether the indefinite section suspension will stay in place for the rest of the 2026 season.
