Matildas Star Fowler Alleges French Teammate Presented Her with Bananas
Australia and Manchester City forward Mary Fowler has alleged that a teammate from her time at French side Montpellier presented her and another black player with bananas as a parting gift.
In a recently published book titled "Bloom", the 22 year old discusses her dissatisfaction in southern France, mentioning that she even contemplated abandoning the sport entirely.
Fowler, who departed Montpellier in 2022 at age 19 following a two year stint, explained that the squad organised a ceremony after their last home match where flowers were distributed to players who were leaving.
However, she noted that neither she nor her teammate, Dutch forward Ashleigh Weerden, were acknowledged during the event.
"Later, once we returned to the locker room, several teammates wondered why we had not been given flowers. We merely raised our shoulders, as puzzled as they were," she recounted.
"Some of the other players chuckled about the situation, and then one approached my teammate and me with some bananas, commenting, 'Take these.' That was the final insult."
Fowler mentioned that she and Weerden had revisited the supposed occurrence in conversations afterwards.
"Not getting flowers was disappointing enough, but being two of just six black players on the team, getting bananas was not something I could simply dismiss with laughter.
"Was it unintentional? Was it merely what was available in the locker room to offer? Did she intend kindness?" she reflected.
Gripping the Bananas
"I have attempted to rationalise it in various manners, seeking evidence that it might have been an innocent oversight. Yet, considering the numerous other instances at the club where we felt similarly marginalised, it proved difficult to view it as just a minor blunder."
Fowler expressed regret that they had not responded assertively in the moment "to defend ourselves".
"Instead, we remained seated, clutching those bananas."
The Matildas player detailed her battle with isolation at Montpellier and admitted she "seriously thought about retiring from football" during her tenure.
The Australian international described how the national team physician advised her to undergo a cardiac evaluation before resuming play after she suffered chest discomfort while jogging.
Nevertheless, she asserted that the Montpellier physician performed a brief five minute examination, provided anti inflammatory medication, and cleared her to continue competing.
"That hardly matched the thorough assessment I had anticipated," she remarked, further noting that a junior physiotherapist at the club later informed her that the coaching team suspected she was fabricating the discomfort to skip training.
Fowler indicated that subsequent comprehensive cardiac evaluations determined the chest discomfort was probably related to muscular or skeletal problems.
The Australian athlete also revealed that she and Weerden faced scrutiny from the coach regarding their decision to drive home as a pair.
"She would explain that we were close and I lacked a driving permit at the time. Situations like that highlighted how we were handled differently from the rest of the squad."
AFP has reached out to Montpellier for their response.