Emma Hayes has defended Barbra Banda after cruel online comments from JK Rowling. The Orlando Pride and Zambia footballer has been targeted online after winning the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Award.
Banda received the gong following a public vote after scoring four goals at the Olympics and 13 for Orlando. Her goalscoring exploits in the US had already seen her named as the NWSL’s most valuable player, reports the Mirror.
The 24-year-old has attracted hatred after false reports she had failed gender eligibility tests, causing her to miss the 2018 and 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Such reasoning has been denied by Banda, her agent, and the Confederation of African Football.
However, anti-trans campaigners have ignored these statements. Banda has been subjected to online pile-ons and abusive comments for several days following the award.
When questioned about the situation in a press conference before taking charge of the USA against England at Wembley, former Chelsea manager Hayes said: “Barbra Banda is an amazing football player. It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, to be quite honest with you.
“She has our support. She’s someone who’s done a tremendous amount, not just for her club but for her country, and what a brilliant season she’s had. We should be talking about that, the impact she’s had on the NWSL. We saw it first-hand in the Olympics – wow, the way she stretches the line, her ability.”
She added: “I speak so highly of her because, in the women’s game, we talk about all the top players that come from more traditional nations and I think it’s great that we see such quality coming out of Africa.
“I know my assistant coach [Lisa Cole, an adviser to the Zambia women’s national team] coached her at Zambia and talked about what an amazing person she is, so she has our full support. And quite frankly, I’m disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.”
Earlier this week, the Harry Potter author Rowling retweeted a post about Banda to her 14.2million followers with a provocative message. The 59-year-old wrote: “Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women’s faces.”
While Banda has been targeted by Rowling and ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, she has received support from the women’s football community. Ex-USA international Megan Rapinoe wrote: “You’ve thrilled, entertained and inspired us, and the world, all year long. This is so deserved as is every bit of your success. You stand so much taller than the tiny people trying to tear you down.”
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