Atlanta Beat goalkeeper Hope Solo sent Twitter followers into a frenzy of questions Wednesday night after complaining about racism and sexism from Boston Breakers fans during Atlanta’s 2-0 loss to Boston Wednesday night.
Here is what Solo Tweeted following Wednesday’s loss (via four separate Tweets):
“To all the boston fans and especially the young kids that I didn’t sign autographs for I’m sorry. I will not stand for…An organization who can so blatantly disrespect the athletes that come to play. Perhaps the WPS or Boston themselves…Can finally take a stance to the profanity, racism and crude remarks that are made by their so called ‘fan club’…To the true fans, I hope to catch you at the next game. Thanks for your support and love for the game.”
The Riptide is the supporter’s group that can be found in “The Dock” in section 14 of Harvard Stadium at every Breakers game and is supposedly the group Solo is referring to. Members deny any such racist or sexist chants and issued this statement on the group’s Website stating that the worst things said was “you suck.”
With no evidence of racist or sexist comments, Breakers General Manager Andy Crossley has issued this statement:
“This morning I have sent an e-mail to the Beat organization requesting that they provided further insight into Hope Solo’s post-game comments on Twitter, specifically one particular allegation which we take with the utmost seriousness. That was just a few minutes ago, so I do not expect a response until later on today and do not have a further comment until that time.”
Here is the statement Atlanta Beat General Manager Shawn McGee released this afternoon:
“At this point, we have no comment. We are in the process of gathering information regarding the incidences at the match last night and will work with the Breakers management to ensure that everything gets handled appropriately. Racism and inappropriate comments of any nature have no place in the beautiful game. The Breakers, the Beat and WPS will work together to ensure that the pitch is a place to celebrate the sport and the great athleticism of our players…and is a safe place to do so.”
Ryan Wood reports that Breakers management is “furious” over the allegations and have suggested two acceptable forms of public retraction to Beat executives.
10 Comments… read them below
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| Mike said… |
| While it is good that she spoke out about an important issue, she definitely did not take the proper avenues. Calling out an entire organization because of the conduct of a few fans is a bit over the top and ridiculous. From what I have seen, heard, and read, the Breakers organization is the model franchise in the league and obviously they don’t support that type of behavior. As an all around Boston supporter, I have no problem saying that SOME Boston fans can often be passionate to the point of being obnoxious, but that is not restricted solely to Boston fans, nor is it a reflection on all Boston fans. |
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| Best Fan said… |
| I too am proud of Hope Solo, and am glad she spoke up. There is way too much racism,sexism and homophobia expressed (by what is hopefully a minority) and its time that this was addressed. The league should make clear that this type of prejudice and inappropriate remarks, actions ,and behaviors are not welcome, and will not be tolerated at games. WPS should be doing more to create a positive environment for fans and team members. If you want to heckle and make crude remarks perhaps you should be watching the NFL or the NBA- you’ll be in good company with all of the ‘tough-guy’ felons who promote dog fights, bring guns in the locker room rape minors. |
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| Lauren said… |
| I really think that Solo was out of line in going about doing this the way she did. Yes, she can be upset about it, but to use social media versus bring the issue up with the Atlanta Beat or even with the Breakers organization was wrong. I was not there and thus did not hear the nature of the comments, but as professional athletes, heckling is going to happen. I would just expect a professional athlete to handle it a little bit better than she did. |
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| Dude said… |
| And yet, I think trying to make the environment better for those very girls, is perhaps more worthwhile for them than signing a few autographs. (not to mention the fact that she did apologize to them specifically, and the rest of the Boston fans, in her post) |
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| Jeff said… |
| Great point John. Nobody seems to really know what happened, but no matter what it was, it really should not be taken out on young girls looking for autographs. They had nothing to do with any of her frustrations. It will be interesting to see what comes of this. I hope that no racism or sexism was involved. I also think that great support will help improve the fan experience and ultimately interest in the league. More supporters groups are needed. That’s a totally separate issue though. I am not trying to relate that to the more serious (alleged) issues at hand. |
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| John @coachclifford said… |
| The one subplot of this story that remains disconnected and makes no sense in its simplicity and lack of logic – the protest. It was simply misdirected and accomplished nothing. Applauding her for standing up? For what? Hurting the feeling of young fans? She did nothing short of invigorate the spirit of those who got under her skin in the first place. It was a rash and shortsighted response on her part. In the prior match, Abby Wambach demonstrated the same frustration over the result, stormed off past the fans, but had the sense and graciousness to rush back out and apologize and engage the fans well beyond anyone’s expectation. Best visiting fan of the season in Autograph Alley by far! Kudos to Abby for being the bigger person. Hope would have been wise to take a page from Abby’s leadership skills. |
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| StarCityFan said… |
| I can believe that inappropriate remarks were made. I find it hard to believe that members of Riptide, the Breakers’ supporters group, made them. But if they were made, complaining about them in a Twitter feed is not the way to go about it. There are channels to go through, which, belatedly, Beat and Brakers management are using. As for racism being worse than sexism, well, racists used to hang “uppity” black from trees. Sexists at least are not usually so brutal. |
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| pa soccer dad said… |
| You want it quiet…. go watch a chess match |
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| Dude said… |
| I’m proud of her for stepping up. I’ve heard some crude and sexist/misogynist remarks yelled out at WPS games before (usually from some group of obnoxious young males trying to impress each other), so it doesn’t surprise me in the least. That kind of thing definitely happens. So I believe her. She heard what she heard..and has little reason to lie about it. People need to have an appreciation and respect for every human being on that field, regardless of their jersey color. Boston is a pretty cool town, but in looking at the response there, I also think it’s funny how racism is being seen as so much more “offensive” than sexism…like being sexist is somehow “more acceptable”. If WPS really wants to create a positive environment for people to see good athletes and good human beings play a game, then they should try to make it just that, a positive environment. Just because you can get away with being obnoxious and fairly offensive at your average pro sporting event, doesn’t mean that’s a good thing. Perhaps WPS being “different” in that regard would be a welcome change. |
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| Maria said… |
| Appears when a crowd that shows an animation at WPS, solve censor. That’s bad for the popularization of the game. |
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