PHOENIX (Reuters) - Arizona State University officials have asked football fans to refrain from painting their faces black for a so-called blackout home game this weekend after several fans last year caused an uproar by attending the event in minstrel-style blackface.
For the annual game, which will be held on Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona State University players will wear their all-black uniform and fans are encouraged to arrive similarly dressed.
The team adopted black as one of its color schemes in 2011, and the blackout event is tied to that.
In a statement on Monday, university officials said fans should continue to wear black, but asked them not to paint their faces any color.