A spokesman for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary told the Portsmouth News, “A man was escorted out of the stadium by a police officer after he had entered the female toilets.”
Westwood was asked to leave the stadium during halftime of Saturday’s home game between Pompey and Sheffield on Wednesday after the incident was reported to the club’s stewards.
A spokesperson for Portsmouth FC said that while the team does not discuss specific incidents, they will work to make Fratton Park a place where all fans feel welcome.
Awareness of sexism in sports was the goal of the Her Game Too campaign, which was highlighted at the League One match played at Fratton Park.
Westwood gave the Portsmouth News an explanation for his behaviour, saying: “I walked into the passageway before the toilets and didn’t go any further.”
“This woman came out of the toilets and told me to get out, so I left. I was just having a laugh and a giggle. Given it was women’s day, I thought I would identify as a woman to show solidarity with them. There was no malice intended.”
Following a fourth suspension this year, John Westwood will be unable to join his fellow fans at Fratton Park.
Additionally, he confirmed that he will miss Portsmouth’s upcoming matches against Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers due to the ban. The club has also informed him that they will make a final decision after those games.
This is Westwood’s fourth suspension of the season, following previous punishments for making lewd gestures to Coventry City fans in a preseason friendly, urinating outside Forest Green Rovers’ stadium, and making a handbell gesture to a friend.
In addition, Westwood stated: “If I sing it’s a geezers club, I get told off, and if I identify as a woman, I also get told off. You’re not allowed to make light of anything anymore.”
“It seems to me now that minorities in this world are telling the majorities what they can and cannot think. I’m for equality but they cannot foist their ideas on people.”
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