Australian international football star Mary Fowler has found herself at the centre of a serious controversy, with her former French club Montpellier vehemently denying allegations of racism detailed in her new memoir.
The Allegations from Fowler's Memoir
In her recently released book titled 'Bloom', the 22-year-old Matildas forward recounts a disturbing incident from her time with Montpellier in 2022. Fowler, who was just 17 when she joined the club in 2020, claims that after the final home match of the season, she and her Dutch teammate Ashleigh Weerden were conspicuously left out of a presentation where departing players received flowers.
"Afterwards, when we got inside the changing room, some of our teammates questioned why we hadn't received any flowers," Fowler wrote, according to excerpts published in Australian media. The situation escalated when, Fowler alleges, another player handed them bananas instead, saying, "Here, have these."
Fowler, who spent two-and-a-half seasons with Montpellier before her high-profile move to Manchester City, reflected on the deeper significance of the act. "As two of only six Black girls in the squad, receiving bananas wasn't something I could laugh off and forget about," she stated, highlighting what she perceived as a racially charged gesture.
Montpellier's Firm Rebuttal
Montpellier responded with a formal statement expressing "astonishment" at the accusations. The club firmly rejected the portrayal of their organisation as racist, calling such a "shortcut... unacceptable."
Providing a different factual account, the club explained that the flower presentation on June 1, 2022, was a tradition reserved exclusively for players whose contracts were expiring. This was not the case for Fowler or Weerden, who both remained under contract until 30 June 2023. Therefore, offering them a farewell gift would have been "rather inappropriate," the club argued.
Regarding the specific dressing room incident, Montpellier stated that after consulting individuals present that day, they found no evidence to support Fowler's version of events. The club emphasised its commitment to fighting discrimination, adding, "If incidents of this nature had been reported and proven, the club would have taken all necessary measures."
Ongoing Repercussions and Fowler's Future
The dispute emerges as Fowler continues her recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in April while playing for Manchester City in the Women's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. Her anticipated return to the pitch is set for January, just in time for the Asian Cup, where she is expected to be a key player for the Matildas.
This clash of narratives between a prominent Australian athlete and a major European football club puts a spotlight on the complex issues of racial insensitivity and accountability within professional sports. With both parties standing by their accounts, the situation underscores the challenges in addressing and resolving such deeply personal and serious allegations.
