Reporter is abused by trolls on social media after she complained about men’s ‘vile’ behaviour at NRL match

Newspaper journalist Eliza Barr has received a barrage of online abuse after criticizing despicable NRL fan behavior at Leichhardt Oval during the match between Wests Tigers and Cronulla Sharks on Saturday.

There were incredible scenes on the suburban ground as the Tigers defeated the Sharks 32-6 to give former premiership-winning player Benji Marshall his first win since taking over as coach.

But Barr shined a light on the dark side of the 16,000-strong crowd, saying she was disgusted by the language and songs she heard.

“I’m on the mound at Leichhardt Oval right now and the disgusting, misogynistic, violent and offensive language we are now being exposed to from a specific handful of male Tigers fans is so reprehensible and vile I can’t tell you,” she posted on social media platform

Reporter Eliza Barr attended the match and was disgusted by the foul language, songs and chants of male football fans

When asked which specific fans made the comments, Barr replied: “The people around us, including more Tigers supporters than Sharks (some with children in tow), who were also visibly uncomfortable with it.”

Her opinion attracted hundreds of responses – mostly from men – that ranged from minimizing her concerns to outright abuse.

“Welcome to rugby league, clearly not for you,” one person replied to her original post.

“If you wanted good crowd behavior you should have gone to the rugby union,” another posted.

“I’m taking things that didn’t happen before 10 Harvey,” another commented, confusing Family Feud host Steve Harvey with The Price Is Right host Drew Carey.

“You could post about the handful of bad people on the hill, or you could post about the other 16,000 people who were fantastic and had a great time, depending on whether you want to grab the headlines or find the positives,” wrote another.

A large number of even more disgusting comments have been deleted or are not suitable for publication.

There were numerous responses, mostly from male commentators, saying Barr should have withdrawn from the situation if it was so offensive.

“Maybe go down the hill then?” one suggested.

“Amazing that there are fans out there who are racist and homophobic and make mean comments about women and you think *I* am the one who should be making the move,” Barr responded.

Leichhardt Oval is one of the last NRL venues with a hill section

Wests Tigers have claimed the last two consecutive NRL wooden spoons and were in full celebration mode after Saturday night’s breakthrough win

Others defended the behavior as normal.

“You’ve never been around men before?” asked a male commentator.

“The fact that you normalize this as male behavior that shouldn’t come as a shock or be offensive has me beating the shit out of my husband,” Barr responded.

‘A staggering number of people (men…) here say that women are the problem because they feel uncomfortable when men openly sing made-up songs and make homophobic and racist comments during a sports match. (It’s very revealing of you! Extremely revealing!),” she posted separately.

“The Sports Game is not some magical container where the rules of social engagement don’t apply because boys are boys at the ball-kicking show. Get a grip. You’re embarrassing yourself!’

Barr also received several messages of support from footy fans, some of which came from people who attended the match.

“Is there a number to text during the game?” Often at the Gabba with my daughter and I have used the ‘traitor line’ to get people removed. There is no place for racist, sexist language,” one father responded.

‘Hill is old-fashioned, some leopards don’t change their spots. I agree it’s sad when time seems to have stood still,” another footy fan added.

“People should be able to go to the game, sit on the mound and enjoy themselves,” wrote another.