RI Soccer Assoc. Calls on RIIL to Suspend Burrillville Sports for 1-Year

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RI Soccer Assoc. Calls on RIIL to Suspend Burrillville Sports for 1-Year

Photo: Maria Pedraza Facebook
The Rhode Island Soccer Association (RISA) is calling on the Rhode Island Interscholastic League (RIIL) to suspend all Burrillville High School sports for one year following what they say was inappropriate behavior by fans during Burrillville’s volleyball game against Central Falls in September.

“The Rhode Island Soccer Association on behalf of our 1,300 players and their families asks that the RIIL suspend Burriville from Interscholastic sports competition for one year immediately,” the organization wrote on Facebook.

According to Burrillville High School Basketball’s Facebook page, there is a hearing set for this Friday.

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“I am not sure how many people saw the news today, but apparently the Rhode Island soccer Association is now asking for ALL Burrillville sports to be suspended for one year in relation to the supposed Central Falls volleyball incident," said the Burrilleville basketball team in their post. "There’s a hearing this Friday and RIIL will determine our fate. I don’t know how many people have taken the time to make contact with them but I think it’s very prudent that everyone in town starts contacting them now on behalf of our students!!! This is everyone’s problem. Not just those of us that have kids at the high school right now. Because if they’re going to use us to set an example for the state this year they can do it any year.”

The Incident

As GoLocalProv reported, a video was posted by Maria Pedraza to Facebook, with the caption, “Very sad the intimidating/racist shenanigans towards our Lady Warrior volleyball team.”

Watch the Video Above 

In the video, a woman narrating states that racial slurs have been made by Burrillville fans.

"This is how it is for our lady volleyball team in Burrillville. We have a group of Burrillville students [waving] United States flags…yelling racist slurs to our girls and trying to intimidate them," said the woman.

On the video, the Burrillville fans can be heard chanting “we can’t hear you" between points.

“There it is again,” the narrator said following a point.

Pedroza took to Facebook after posting the video to elaborate on what she said took place.

"Wearing red, blue and white was not the issue. Having flags was not the issue. What was an issue was those good students yelling at the girls inappropriate comments, telling them to go back to their countries, saying that it was going to get dark in there, mocking their accents, etc. Excusing their behavior and hateful speech saying it was harmless and no biggie it's wrong."

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