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‘Disgraceful’ banner waved by Toronto FC supporter at weekend game

Soccer

Toronto FC midfielder Chris Mannella (20) reacts to missing the net in the second half against the Montreal Impact at BMO Field. Montreal Impact won 1-0.

Toronto FC midfielder Chris Mannella (20) reacts to missing the net in the second half against the Montreal Impact at BMO Field. Montreal Impact won 1-0.

Kevin Sousa/USA TODAY Sports

A fan carrying a banner with an illustration of a woman performing fellatio has drawn the ire of many on social media

Jamie Ross

This article was published more than 8 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Toronto FC has apologized after one of its supporters waved a lewd banner depicting a woman performing a sex act during a Toronto-Montreal Impact match on Saturday.

An image of the banner, which circulated on social media over the weekend, shows a woman thought to be a Montreal Impact supporter performing oral sex on a TFC fan.

On Sunday, the football club apologized through its Twitter feed, saying it would look into the matter to ensure "this never happens again."

A statement provided to The Globe and Mail by a team spokesperson called the banner "disgraceful" and an "embarrassment."

"We are currently investigating through all available security and social media footage and strongly encourage fans with any information to assist us in identifying those involved so that they can be held responsible," it went on to say.

The team's code of conduct allows banners to be carried in and used in supporters sections provided they meet a criteria that includes being event-related and in good taste.

It's an unwelcome distraction for the first-place club, and the second time in two seasons it is dealing with sexism among its fanbase. Last May, while working at BMO Field, a CityNews reporter was harassed when a male fan made a crude remark toward her as she conducted an interview.

WATCH Reporter confronts men who bombarded her with vulgarity

Two different men later defended the remarks, touching off a lively discussion about herd misogyny and workplace harassment.

One of the men who appeared on camera was fired from his job at Hydro One as a result of the comments, but was later re-instated.

"We're appalled that this trend of disrespectful behaviour would make its way to our city, let alone anywhere near our stadium," Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the team's owner, said in a statement at the time.

MORE FROM THE GLOBE

JOHN DOYLE: The feminization of sports coverage is vital. What Shauna Hunt did is just the start There are words for it. “Laddism” is one. It’s what they call it in England, the birthplace of soccer. Laddism is the blithe, unthinking sexism of the lewd remark, the grope, the joke about rape, the intimidation of women in places where they have the right to feel safe.
TABATHA SOUTHEY: The vulgar heckling incident: Let me spell it out for you I won’t use the acronym for those words decorously deployed by many when writing up this story; it’s an acronym coined by the man who came up with this stunt, and every time the media coyly use it, we help that creep sell one of his lousy T-shirts.