Journalist Ejected From Soccer Match Over 'Save Women's Sports' T-Shirt

Independent journalist Brandi Kruse recounted being forcibly removed from a National Women's Soccer League match in Portland, Oregon, for wearing a T-shirt advocating for women's sports. Kruse stated that she and a group wearing XX-XY shirts were escorted out by stadium security after allegedly being harassed by other attendees.

Appearing on Laura Ingraham's program, Kruse described the incident at Providence Park, where she and approximately 20 other women were present with shirts and a banner supporting the "Save Women's Sports" movement. She claims the group faced verbal and physical aggression from other fans, including having flags waved at them and beer poured on them.

Kruse stated that security personnel, when asked for a reason for their removal, responded cryptically. "You know what you did?" one security guard allegedly said to her, to which Kruse replied she had no idea. She indicated that she refused to leave voluntarily and would only be removed by force.

"We have not gotten an explanation so far," Kruse told Ingraham. She added that she made the decision to resist removal to ensure security would have to "own that decision" and physically escort her out.

Kruse also noted that journalist Matt Calkins, who was covering the game, was allegedly "assaulted by the mob" and had his press pass torn from his chest by a security guard. She clarified that the security guard confirmed they were not law enforcement officers.

The Portland Thorns issued a statement saying they are "committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone" and that "security and enforcement decisions are managed locally." The team added that they are reviewing the actions to ensure their policies were applied appropriately and consistently.

Kruse expressed uncertainty about which entity made the final decision to remove the group wearing XX-XY shirts, noting that Providence Park is owned by the city of Portland but operated by Peregrine Sports, in addition to the Thorns organization.

"All they had to do is not react to our t-shirts, be functioning adults in the United States of America. And understand that sometimes you'll be confronted by ideas you don't agree with. And the answer to that is not violence," Kruse said. She asserted that the removal of her group, while those allegedly harassing them remained, was an example of intolerance towards differing perspectives on biological differences in sports.