Controversy Arises Over Ejection of Fans at Portland Thorns Match

A spokesperson for the Portland Thorns stated that eight fans were removed from Providence Park during the match against the Washington Spirit on September 6. The reason given was the distribution of ‘unapproved materials’, which the group of fans disputes.

In a statement provided to OutKick, the Thorns representative said, ‘During our September 6 match against the Washington Spirit, individuals were removed from Providence Park for distributing unapproved materials, a violation of the Fan Experience Guidelines at the stadium. Our priority remains fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for every fan at Providence Park.’ The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Amy Sousa, who was among the ejected group, denied the accusation. She claimed the fans were targeted for political reasons while expressing support for women’s sports. ‘We did not distribute any materials. We came armed with copies of their own code of conduct and followed it to the letter,’ Sousa explained. ‘They are lying about us. They have violated our rights. My group was targeted for political beliefs I speak about online.’

The group, wearing XX-XY Athletics apparel and shirts with messages like ‘Save Women’s Sports’ and ‘Girls just wanna have fundamental rights,’ was escorted from the stadium by security. Video footage showed Sousa questioning her removal. Security accused them of distributing materials, which Sousa denied.

The notice given to the group cited a Code of Conduct violation and warned of possible further penalties, including a ban.

Sousa stated she had brought five printed copies of the NWSL and Providence Park codes of conduct after a local activist, Hannah Perry, alerted officials about the group’s attendance plans. Sousa clarified that the copies were only shared among themselves.

‘We only shared them to our own group while seated facing each other,’ Sousa said. ‘If we ‘distributed’ anything, they would have it on video.’ She also mentioned that the group’s XX-XY clothing was not visible when they entered the stadium.

In the aftermath, the group visited The Sports Bra, a Portland bar focusing on women’s sports, but was asked to leave shortly after arriving. Staff members accused them of wearing ‘transphobic’ clothing. The Sports Bra released a statement on social media defending their decision, stating, ‘At The Sports Bra, our mission is simple: support, promote, and empower ALL girls and women in sports. To be clear: trans girls are girls, and trans women are women.’

The statement continued, ‘On Sunday, Sept. 6, a group entered wearing apparel with messages advocating for the exclusion of trans women from sports. When our team respectfully gave the group notice to cover the anti-trans messaging or leave, they chose to leave.’

This incident highlights the ongoing discussions and controversies surrounding women’s sports and the inclusion of transgender athletes. The divergence in viewpoints continues to affect the experiences of fans and participants in these environments.