Mary Fowler Alleges Racism at Montpellier in Memoir

Australian soccer star Mary Fowler has alleged in her memoir that she experienced racist treatment from teammates at French club Montpellier during her final season there in 2022, prompting a strong denial from the club. Fowler, a forward for Manchester City and the Australian national team, detailed the incident in her book "Bloom," published this month, claiming that she and another Black teammate were overlooked for farewell flowers and instead received bananas in the dressing room.

The episode unfolded after Montpellier's women's team played its last home match of the season against Bordeaux on June 1, 2022. According to Fowler, departing players whose contracts were ending received bouquets of flowers in a post-game presentation, a tradition the club had followed for several seasons. She and teammate Ashleigh Weerden, two of only six Black players on the squad, were not included. Fowler wrote that it was widely known within the team that she and Weerden were unhappy and planning to leave, despite their contracts running until June 30, 2023.

In the dressing room afterward, Fowler recounted, some teammates questioned the omission, leading to laughter among a few players. One...