Portland, Ore. – During a Portland Thorns home game at Providence Park, a group of roughly 20 women wearing shirts that read “XX‑XY” were asked to leave the stadium by security staff. The women, who say they were simply promoting the biological reality of male physical advantages in sports, claim they were harassed by other fans and then forcibly removed.
What the fans say
One of the women, Brandi Kruse, told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that she never received an explanation from stadium security or Thorns officials about why she and the group were asked to exit. “It’s been three days and I still haven’t heard why we were told to leave,” Kruse said. “When they said ‘you need to leave,’ I asked what we did wrong. I have no idea what we did.”
Kruse added that she refused to leave quietly. “If they’re going to ask me to leave, I’m going to make them own that decision and they’ll have to physically remove me,” she said. She also noted that security guard who took her press pass confirmed he was not a police officer.
Club’s response
The Portland Thorns issued a statement saying the organization is “committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.” The club added that “security and enforcement decisions are managed locally” and that it is reviewing the actions taken at the game to ensure policies were applied appropriately and consistently.
Ownership and management
Providence Park is owned by the City of Portland but operated by Peregrine Sports, which also manages the Thorns. Kruse said it is unclear which entity ultimately decided to remove the fans, noting that other attendees wearing the same shirts were not asked to leave, while some surrounding fans allegedly assaulted the group by hitting them with flags and dumping beer on them.
Broader context
The incident has drawn criticism from conservative commentators who argue that the left‑leaning atmosphere in many women’s sports venues suppresses dissenting viewpoints. OutKick reporter Matt Calkins, who was covering the match, said his press pass was ripped from his chest by a security guard, adding to claims of excessive force.
Federal officials have taken note. The Department of Justice announced it is investigating the handling of the incident, signaling that the matter may have legal implications beyond the stadium.
Looking ahead
Portland Thorns officials have said they will continue to review security protocols and the decision‑making process surrounding fan conduct. The club has not yet indicated whether any disciplinary action will be taken against the security personnel involved.
Fans and advocacy groups on both sides of the debate are watching closely, as the outcome could influence how sports venues across the country handle similar situations involving political expression and fan safety.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.