Barbra Banda victim of ‘hateful language’: Gotham FC, Orlando Pride, and NWSL express ‘unwavering support’

Gotham FC, the Orlando Price and the NWSL have issued a statements of “relentless support” for the Barbra Banda van de Pride after a “hateful language” incident during Gotham’s home opener against the Pride on Sunday.

“Gotham FC is aware of an incident with a hateful language focused on Barbra Banda during Sunday’s game between our team and Orlando Pride. We are united in our message with the NWSL and the Orlando Pride: this behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our competition or in our stadiums,” said the club statement.

“Stadium protection responded quickly to the incident as soon as it was reported and focused directly on the person, where the situation was followed for the rest of the competition. Gotham FC and the NWSL work together to further investigate the incident and to take extra action where necessary under the code of conduct of the League’s fan code or behavior.”

Orlando Proud And the competition has each additional support messages for Banda and has released additional next steps.

“Gotham FC and the NWSL work together to further investigate the incident and take additional action where necessary under the code of conduct of the competition. We are committed to ensuring that our locations are safe and respectful environments for everyone – especially for the athletes who represent the best of our sport.

A delayed response to continuous abuse

Gotham FC further stated that they had contacted Club leaders of Orlando Pride on Monday to expand apologies and support. However, this is the first public statement of support by the competition, because Banda suffered extensive online bullying in November after being awarded BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

The online abuse online included attacks of remarkable as Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who expressed disdain for the winner of the BBC, referring to the mistreatment of Banda, “Probably the BBC decided that this was more time efficient than going to door to spit directly into ladies.”

Orlando ProudThe NWSL Players Association, and the NWSLPA -executing director Meghann Burke expressed the support for the player shortly after a whole series of online bullying flooded social media messages that celebrate Banda’s performance, Burke specifically addressed.

“The lowest form of discourse is personally insulted with racism and lies, on X no less. Barbra Banda is a proud member of NWSLPA. She is the best of us. Only we are clear, JK Rowling: You come for her, you come for all of us. I come first. Let’s go.”

What is the following

The insulting rhetoric has now found its way offline and directly in NWSL games, months after a failure outside the players’ association to protect Banda.

Banda is an NWSL MVP finalist from 2024 and rules NWSL Shield winner and NWSL champion. Her profile was first raised for the first time after impressive versions with Zambia during the Olympic Games and then by gathering titles after just a year in the NWSL that led to the Zambia International on the receiving side of racist and transfobe rhetoric after the price.

According to Gotham FC, the fan who used the insulting language was not rejected, but rather the security pointed them to them and continued to follow the situation.

Orlando Pride is planned to organize San Diego Wave FC on Saturday in Inter & Co Stadium.