LAFC posts supporter relations job, people freak, listing is then changed

I'm not sure if LAFC posted this job on Wednesday, but American soccer twitter found a job listing from the club on the league's jobs board on Wednesday, for a club supporter relations job.

In broad strokes, it sounds like they want a combination of a communications person and a club ambassador, a la Frankie Hejduk with the Columbus Crew or Jimmy Conrad's KICK TV persona.

But there were a few bits that led to MLS fans and media members to mock or disparage the club's purposes with the job. Among those:

The really offensive part of that job posting is that it'll vet the leaders of the LAFC supporter's group. pic.twitter.com/EZA0bx1oHk

— Dan Dickinson (@GothamistDan) January 14, 2015

That was the part that really set folks off, unsurprisingly. While other MLS teams have either tried to start their own Supporters Groups or tried to intervene in existing SGs, to publicly let slip that they want to appoint SG leaders obviously did not go down well.

We took a little break for the Holidays but we come back to #LAFC looking to hire a liaison that will identify the leadership for SG. #WHAT

— Black Army 1850 (@BlackArmy1850) January 14, 2015

We understand, hire a liaison between SGs and the casual fan. But @LAFC, our leadership is already set. SGs are organic not someone payed.

— Black Army 1850 (@BlackArmy1850) January 14, 2015

My guess is that LAFC wants to start another Supporters Group, and are/were looking to vet the leaders in that, but that's mere speculation on my part.

.@LAFC actually said that the ability to host a rave was a job requirement. My god, humans can be so stupid. http://t.co/UWkWMMCdVD

— Wes (@MnNiceFC) January 14, 2015

Regarding the requirement (that still exists) that applicants should have "significant playing experience," listed as NCAA or high-level amateur at a minimum, there's this potential point (though of course women play soccer too, yadda yadda):

"You MUST have walked the walk, so you can talk the talk" Is there any way LAFC would believe a woman could fit that role?

— Kirsten Schlewitz (@KDS_Football) January 14, 2015

In the end, LAFC admitted they altered the job description, taking out most of the stuff that was mocked/disparaged:

We've updated THAT job description. Please share so we can get someone great to do these things in the future. http://t.co/xRoNZyjaOt

— LAFC (@LAFC) January 14, 2015

Update: They also later updated the posting regarding the playing experience portion:

@soccermusings @24thminute Hi there. We've clarified - soccer playing experience is not required, just preferred.

— LAFC (@LAFC) January 14, 2015

The current job description is here, if you are interested and/or want to apply for it.

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