Not Your European Football Club

Soccer fans have a bad rep, but St. Louis fans are all about inclusivity

BY MONICA OBRADOVIC

St. Louis soccer fans are a lot of things. Dedicated, a little crazy, the loudest crowd in the bleachers. But there’s one thing St. Louis soccer fans are not — the bigoted, bro-ey assholes that sometimes emerge from European clubs.

At least, that’s the goal.

St. Louligans, the largest club soccer supporter organization in St. Louis, is an inclusive and welcoming group, longtime member Sarah Robertson says. As a so-called Louligan Lady, Robertson says the Louligans pride themselves on making sure fans of all backgrounds feel welcome at games.

But in the stands with other soccer fans, sometimes it can feel not-so-2023.

“You hear all sorts of stuff in the stands,” Robertson says. “I’ve probably heard everything under