Toronto FC issues apology for sexist banner slighting Montreal

Warning: Article contains offensive material

Toronto FC has apologized to the city of Montreal, the Montreal Impact, and its fans after an insulting banner was allowed to enter BMO Field for Saturday's 401 Derby.

The Reds issued a statement on Monday responding to a deluge of complaints from supporters, it read:

Toronto FC is proud to have one of the best fan bases and stadium environments in our sport. Our fans show tremendous support for the club while demonstrating proper respect for our opponents and their fans. On Saturday night, however, a sign was displayed in the stands that was insulting to many including our opponent, the City of Montreal, and their fans. It was an embarrassment to our club and to our supporters and will not be tolerated. We sincerely apologize to the Montreal Impact, the City of Montreal, and all fans for this disgraceful act. We are currently investigating through all available security and social media footage and strongly encourage fans with any information to assist us in identifying those involved so that they can be held responsible.

Impact fan Elizabeth Cotignola didn't attend the match but saw the image being shared on social media. She's vowed to front an official complaint into the matter, stating that sports are still rife with sexism.

"I perceived it not even as an Impact fan seeing it as a slight towards Impact fans but as a woman seeing it as sexist, misogynistic imagery," she told CBC. "It made my blood boil."

She added, "It's been a problem across a lot of venues at Major League Soccer and other sporting venues. I think we're now really cognizant, in 2016, that sports is a fairly toxic domain for women."

Toronto lost the rival bout 1-0 courtesy of an Ignacio Piatti effort.

Montreal played with a man down for over 47 minutes of the hot-tempered tilt due to the first-half dismissal of Calum Mallace.