Portland Thorns fans deny attacking anti-trans activists at soccer match

A confrontation broke out during the second half of the Portland Thorns’ 1-0 win over North Carolina Courage at Providence Park on Friday night. About 20 spectators wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts unfurled a large “Save Women’s Sports” banner next to the Rose City Riveters supporters section.

The Riveters, the Thorns’ officially recognized supporters group, said their members held up flags and scarves to cover the banner and alerted stadium security and staff. Police are reportedly investigating the incident.

“None. It’s been three days … you hear me in the video demand that security tell me, when they say ‘you need to leave,’ and I say, ‘we didn’t do anything wrong.’”

Brandi Kruse, one of the women wearing an XX-XY shirt, told Fox News that she and the group were forcibly removed without any explanation. She said she repeatedly asked security why they were being told to leave and received no answer.

The Riveters rejected allegations that their members attacked fans or hit them with flags. They said their response was to cover the “hateful messaging” while notifying security.

The fans group said Friday’s incident was the third time “anti-trans agitators” had targeted their section. They cited a previous Sept. 6 incident in which protesters wearing XX-XY shirts were removed.

There are no transgender women currently playing in the NWSL. The XX-Y group opposes the inclusion of transgender women in women’s sports.