What we know about Barbra Banda hate speech incident, and what we need to know | OneFootball

On Sunday, NJ/NY Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride faced off for the first time in the NWSL this season. The 2024 Champions came away with a 2-0 win on the road in what was an exciting game.

Unfortunately, the NWSL match is being overshadowed by an appalling moment. Per Gotham FC and the Orlando Pride, an individual in the stands directed hateful language toward Orlando’s Barbra Banda. The exact nature of those remarks is unclear.

Per gothamfc.com, “security swiftly responded to the incident once it was reported and directly addressed the individual, monitoring the situation for the remainder of the match.” The club will “take additional action where appropriate under the league’s Fan Code of Conduct.” They will also “hold responsible any individuals who violate or infringe upon those efforts and values.”

Barbra Banda is subjected to abuse

Both teams addressed this heinous act together and appear to be on the same page about taking action to hold the responsible party accountable.

Yet, questions remain. For example, the person in question was allowed to stay for the rest of the match. Why was that allowed? Why did Gotham not take immediate action? Were there questions about what was said and who said it?  If that is the case, then waiting to investigate after the game is understandable. But the statement from the club said that the individual was addressed.

Further, did other fans hear what was said, and who said it? Per ESPN, the NJ/NY club confirmed a supporter made the team and stadium aware of the abuse. But were there other witnesses?  In 2025, the expectation should be that when someone says something awful at a game, especially directed toward a specific player, they would be kicked out of the stadium. The slow reaction and the fact the person was not removed is extremely discouraging.

Moreover, did the players hear the abuse?  Did Banda hear it? There is nothing from the statements that suggest that. And it feels likely that Bats and the Pride would have stopped the game and refused to play if they had.

Hateful language or any form of abuse should not happen in the NWSL. It is sad that someone felt the need to attack Banda, who is loved and admired by not just Orlando fans, but by fans of other teams around the league. Hopefully, a full investigation will reveal a lot more answers and result in more serious discipline for the offending party, including a lifetime ban from the ground.