The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and NJ/NY Gotham FC are investigating an incident involving “hateful language” directed at Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda.
In a joint statement, Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, and the NWSL condemned the incident:
“This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or in our stadiums.”
Incident and Response
Gotham FC confirmed that stadium security responded swiftly when the alleged incident was reported.
A fan was “directly addressed,” and security monitored the situation for the rest of the match.
Gotham FC has footage of the incident, which it is actively reviewing.
The club has been in contact with the fan who reported the incident to gather further details.
The NWSL and Gotham FC are working together to determine additional actions under the league’s Fan Code of Conduct.
Banda’s History of Targeted Abuse
This is not the first time Banda has been subjected to harassment. She previously faced anti-trans attacks online in November 2024 after:
Scoring the winning goal in the NWSL Championship.
Being named BBC World Footballer of the Year.
The NWSL Players Association (NWSLPA) strongly defended Banda at the time, denouncing the “lowest form of discourse” from social media figures, including author J.K. Rowling, who amplified the attacks.
The online abuse stems from a 2022 incident when Banda was controversially ruled out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations due to eligibility disputes.
However, she later played in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and two Olympic Games, where she became the first woman to score three hat tricks in Olympic history.
NWSLPA Statement
The NWSL Players Association issued a statement in support of Banda:
“There is no place for harassment or abuse in our sport, and we support efforts to address this incident swiftly and responsibly.”
“Soccer is built on principles of fairness, inclusion, and respect for human dignity — any form of hateful conduct undermines these values.”
Banda, who scored 13 goals in her debut NWSL season, remains a key player for Orlando Pride.
The NWSL has reiterated its commitment to ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all players as investigations continue.
