Gotham FC and NWSL Investigate Fan Incident Involving Barbra Banda

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has launched an investigation into abusive remarks directed at Orlando Pride‘s Zambian star, Barbra Banda, during their 2-0 victory over Gotham FC on Sunday. The league strongly condemned the hateful language from the crowd, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all players.

League and Club Condemnation

In an official statement released on Monday, the NWSL emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and has no place in women’s football.

“We are united in our message: this behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or in our stadiums,” the league said.

Following the incident, Gotham FC also issued a statement, confirming that stadium security swiftly addressed the issue and closely monitored the situation for the rest of the match. The club has since reached out to Orlando Pride to apologize and pledged full cooperation in the league’s investigation.

“As a club, we will always work to protect and reinforce the inclusive spirit of our Gotham FC and NWSL community,” Gotham stated.

The club further emphasized that any individuals violating these values would be held accountable.

Banda’s Impact in the NWSL

Despite the unfortunate incident, Orlando Pride continued their strong start to the season, securing their second consecutive victory with an own goal and a penalty from Brazilian legend Marta.

Banda, widely regarded as one of the world’s top footballers, has been a crucial figure for the Pride since joining the NWSL. Her exceptional performances helped the club secure their first-ever league title in 2024, a year in which she was also crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

As the investigation unfolds, the NWSL and Gotham FC remain committed to ensuring that their stadiums remain a safe space for players and fans alike.