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The NWSL, Orlando Pride and NJ/NY Gotham FC condemned “hateful language” that was hurled at Zambian striker Barbra Banda during Sunday’s game at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J.
“We are united in our message: This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or in our stadiums,” they each said in separate statements issued Monday.
Gotham became aware of the alleged taunting when another fan reported the incident to stadium security during the game.
Security responded to the incident and spoke to at least one fan but didn’t remove them.
There was added security sent to monitor the section for the remainder of the game.
No further incident evolved, according to Gotham.
Per league policy, Gotham filed an incident report to the NWSL on Sunday night alerting them to the allegations.
A fan who identified as a Gotham season ticket holder in section 102 who witnessed the alleged incident posted on Reddit Monday, saying they were “shocked and disgusted” by people who “expressed bigotry towards Barbra Banda that stemmed from the racist, transphobic conspiracies that were spread about her after she earned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award last year.”
The Reddit post continued, in part, “One fan got pulled aside by security after he cheered for Banda falling down and yelled, ‘She shouldn’t be on the field anyway!’ I was gratified to see security speak to him, but all he got was a warning.”
Gotham leaders reached out to the Pride on Monday to apologize for the incident and reiterate their support of Banda.
The NWSL and Gotham are continuing to investigate the incident and may consider taking “additional action where appropriate under the league’s Fan Code of Conduct.”
Gotham is reviewing security footage of the incident and club representatives have been in contact with the fan who first reported the incident, a club spokesperson told The Post.
“We are committed to ensuring that our venues are safe and respectful environments for all — especially for the athletes who represent the very best of our sport,” the NWSL said. “Barbra Banda is both an exceptional player and person and the NWSL is immensely proud to support her as a member of our league.
“As a league, we remain committed to holding individuals accountable for conduct that violates our standards and values, and to reinforcing the inclusive spirit of the NWSL community.”
Banda, 25, faced anti-trans attacks in November after she scored the winning goal in the 2024 NWSL Championship and was named BBC World Footballer of the Year.
Those online attacks were largely based on a 2022 controversy in which Banda was barred from playing in that year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations — a World Cup qualifying event — that left officials blaming each other.
Banda played in the 2023 World Cup for Zambia.
The Pride offered support for the two-time Olympian, who signed a four-year contract with Orlando before last season.
“Barbra is an outstanding role model and an influential advocate for soccer both in Africa and here in the United States,” the Pride said. “We look forward to continuing to celebrate and support her on and off the pitch.”
