Independent is something you’ll see in all supporter group descriptions. There is a relationship between every supporters group and the team’s front office; however there shouldn’t be a chain of command or leadership structure that extends from the front office to the supporters group. This would diminish the ability for the supporters to authentically cheer and criticize their team, as well as water down the overall fan experience and sanitize the experience for the group that is the heart of a team’s fanbase. You need only look at the backlash that LAFC experienced when a job description was posted prior to their first season, with verbiage that the responsibilities would be to “Vet and validate candidates among LAFC Originals who may become the leaders of the LAFC supporters group”. LAFC quickly changed course, updated their job description, and backpedaled this plan of action. This all goes back to the sport of soccer being unique in its culture, its fans passion, and the way fan organizations and teams interact. Relationships must exist between a supporter group and the team – however liaisons, supporter relations personnel, or other positions on the team up through the President and ownership are much more appropriate avenues to coordinate those relationships.