Beer cup snakes banned by Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are vowing to put an end to the beer cup snake after several fans were injured at a home game last week.

The football club's management said Wednesday thatfrom now on, there will be a zero-tolerance policy for people throwing objects, drinking excessively or breaking other rules.

The club said anyone caught breaking the rules will be forced to leave the stadium.

Bomber management is responding to an incident last Friday, in which fans in one section stacked thousands of plastic beer cups together in the form of a snake that stretched over dozens of rows.

Other fans chipped in by tossing their used beer cups from the seats above and behind, creating a downpour of wet plastic.

"Regretfully, we witnessed the beer cups being thrown at the conclusion of our home game which resulted in several minor injuries to our fans," club spokesman Darren Cameron said in a statement.

The club was deluged with complaints from fans, Cameron said.

'Jerk factor' blamed

As news ofa potentialban spread, users of the social networking website Facebook set up a group called "Save the Beer Cup Snake."

"One incident later and the Blue Bomber head office is preparing to cater to the jerk factor (and 'several' complaints) by banning the beer cup snake. Please show your support for this fan participation activity," moderators of the group said.

People are being urged to post pictures and video of the slithering cups. As of 2 p.m., the group had 48 members.

The next home game is July 24 against the Edmonton Eskimos.

Bombers president Jim Bell will address questions from reporters on the issueat a 2 p.m. news conference, Cameron said.