Man City and Australia star Mary Fowler makes racism claim that ‘shocked’ Montpellier reject

Robin Bairner

• 21 Nov 2025 05:53 CST
• 8 min read

News

Manchester City footballer Mary Fowler has alleged in her new book ‘Bloom’ that her former club Montpellier engaged in racist behaviour – a claim firmly rejected by the French side.

Fowler, a World Cup semi-finalist with Australia, writes that she and an unnamed colleague were presented with bananas as a parting gift from one of her team-mates following the last home match of the 2021/22 season.

The 22-year-old attacker says that she and Netherlands international Ashleigh Weerden were not presented with flowers for departing players and when they returned to the changing room, some players asked why they had been left out.

Writing in her autobiography, Fowler says in a passage quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald: “A few of the girls laughed about it and then one of the other players came over and handed my friend and me some bananas, saying: ‘Here, have these.’ That was the cherry on top.

“Since leaving Montpellier, my friend and I have spoken about that moment a few times. Not receiving flowers was one thing, but as two of only six black girls in the squad, receiving bananas wasn’t something I could laugh off and forget about. Was it an accident? Was it the only thing in the dressing room she could give us? Did she mean well by it?

“I tried to justify it in multiple ways, looking for the slightest clue explaining an honest mistake. But when I add the many other times at the club where we felt the same way, it was difficult to see it simply as a mistake.”

The allegations have not been independently verified.

Montpellier deny Fowler racism allegations

Montpellier have denied the accusations via an official statement, stating it was “shocked” to learn of Fowler’s claim.

“Some of these accusations are particularly serious and the resulting oversimplification, which portrays the club as a racist institution, is unacceptable,” the statement reads.

“Faced with these allegations, the club is determined not to let defamation prevail over the truth and reserves the right to use all legal means at its disposal to achieve this.”

Montpellier claim that it would have been “insensitive” to have given Fowler flowers as a “farewell gift” given that she was still under contract until 2023 – a full year later.

Fowler, however, writes: “It wasn’t a secret that we weren’t happy there, so if anything it would’ve shocked people if we had re-signed.”

Montpellier state that the club was not made aware of any issue at the time.

Their statement adds: “Regarding the alleged events that took place behind closed doors in the locker room after the match, after consulting with those present that day, no evidence has been found to corroborate these claims or even to identify the alleged perpetrator.

“Had such incidents been reported and substantiated, the club would have taken all necessary measures immediately upon being notified. The club wishes to reiterate its ongoing commitment to combating all forms of discrimination.”

Where is Mary Fowler now?

Fowler moved to Manchester City after leaving Montpellier but is currently out injured with a serious knee injury sustained in April’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United.

Nevertheless, the Etihad outfit handed her a new contract at the beginning of October that runs until the summer of 2027.