University of Utah police investigate topless women who attended football game with body paint

Two female fans are at the center of a school police investigation after the couple showed up to a University of Utah football game shirtless with only body paint covering their breasts.

The unnamed women were among thousands of fans crammed into Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday. They hid after a policewoman asked them to put on shirts, a university spokesperson told the school’s website.

Still, the spokesperson said university police are investigating and the charges against the duo have not been dismissed.

Students could also be referred to the dean of students for other disciplines, the spokesperson said.

Images from KSL News show the two women with body paint in the shape of a tank top with an apparent “U” in red on their chest and torso. The news station said some people didn’t believe the young women entered the stadium to watch the Utes win over Southern Utah.

Utah has a lewdness law that is classified as a Class B misdemeanor that could be enforced in this case, according to KSL News.

YouTube influencer Melea Johnson, who brought her two children to the game on September 10, claimed security guards just stared at the topless women as they entered.

“Is this literally what our world is getting to?!” the annoyed mother wrote on Instagram. “We can’t even attend a family college football game without our kids and family being exposed to nudity??”

Johnson told the Deseret News in a statement that she wants to take her children to sporting events without the youngsters being exposed to lust or nudity.

“We love going to Utah football games! But it shouldn’t have happened. And should never be allowed to happen again,” she said.

University President Taylor Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan said in a statement that “profanity, public intoxication, rude and disrespectful behavior, racial and derogatory comments or verbal attacks directed against individuals or groups will not be tolerated”.

“Anyone who engages in dangerous or inappropriate conduct will be expelled from the premises, may lose all privileges and access to future University events, and may be reported to law enforcement,” they also said.

Some social media users have stood up for women, including a libertarian candidate from Utah for the US Senate this year.

“Free the nipple!” Our obscenity laws discriminate against women,” the candidate said. James Hansen wrote on Twitter.

Another one user claimed the criticism from the two female fans was unfair.

“How many men were topless at the same game? Double standards ain’t cool at all,” A. Matthew Hall tweeted.