The man's exact words were that the facility has a "No Soccer" policy. He claims that soccer balls are more likely to break things than other balls, but that's just bullshit. 1. It's a gym, there isn't much anything to break. 2. It's not the specific sport or ball that breaks things, it's the dumbass that decides to throw or kick the ball at lights and stuff.
When it comes down to it, it's just another case of an ignorant American not accepting culture outside of their own.