Utah Royals FC and the National Women’s Soccer League announced on Saturday that they had identified the fan who was accused of shouting racist slurs at Portland Thorns goalkeeper Adrianna Franch on Sept. 6. Utah issued a lifetime ban for all events at Rio Tinto Stadium and Zions Bank Stadium. The NWSL extended the ban to all league games at all venues.
“Thanks in no small part to assistance from fans seated in the vicinity, the fan has since been identified and the club has issued a lifetime ban to the offending party,” read a statement from the Utah Royals. The league issued a separate statement.
#SayNoToRacism pic.twitter.com/NMWA27FHT2
— NWSL (@NWSL) September 14, 2019
Accusations of racist behavior first surfaced on social media during that Sept. 6 match between the Royals and Thorns. Additional security was sent to the section of the stadium where the complaint was made, but the Royals were unable to identify the person responsible.
Franch is yet to comment in detail about the incident, but has acknowledged it on social media.
The situation surrounding our game friday night is not a NEW issue, nor is it a first for me. RACISM is NOT okay in any form!! We as a HUMAN RACE can be better and should be better. We as a SPORT can help show the way. pic.twitter.com/SAoPwIuaLA
— Adrianna Franch (@ADizzle23) September 8, 2019
NWSL players, Adrianna Franch’s teammates speak out against allegations of racism
