A Premier League referee has hit back at Harry Potter author JK Rowling by using a quote from one of the franchise's favourite characters, Albus Dumbledore.
It comes after Rowling, 58, referred to a transgender football manager as a "straight, middle-aged white bloke".
The writer came under fire recently after making comments about former match official Lucy Clark.
LGBTQ+ charity Pride UK had taken to X to announce: "Lucy Clark, the world’s first openly transgender referee, has made history by becoming the first trans manager in the top 5 divisions of English women’s football.
"The former referee has taken over at Sutton United. FABULOUS."
Rowling quickly responded to the tweet, stating: "When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes.. So it's fantastic to see how much things have changed."
Madley took aim at JK Rowling over her tweets
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After facing backlash, Rowling continued her argument, responding to claims she was "bullying" the women's football coach and had compared them to a "middle-aged bloke" with: "I didn’t compare him to one. He IS one."
Hitting back, Premier League referee Bobby Madley referenced a quote penned by Rowling herself in the Harry Potter books.
He wrote: "I'm pleased to say Lucy is a great ambassador, well respected within refereeing and most importantly a good, kind person.
"'It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.’ – Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Ironic."
Rowling's comments were made about trans football manager Lucky Clark
The author faced criticism for "mocking" Clark but doubled down on her comments, stating: "Calling a man a man is not 'bullying' or 'punching down.'
"Cross-dressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud the people caricaturing us."
Responding to another accusation of bullying, she added: "You’re right. No demographic is more vulnerable and oppressed than large, tattooed crossdressers who get plum jobs in women's sport. I don’t know how I could have been so cruel."
Also taking to X, Clark penned in response: "Another day of hate-fuelled transphobia against me… but hey guess what I am living my best life. Wake up everyday with my beautiful family around me.
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Rowling labelled Clark a 'middle-aged bloke'
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"Everyday I laugh and have things to look forward to. Who’s winning at life … the one who’s happy and smiling or those hating?" (sic)
Clark isn't the only public figure in recent months to find themselves in a public spat with Rowling over her trans views.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe distanced himself from the author once again this month in a new interview when the topic was brought up.
Rowling also engaged in a war of words with trans newsreader India Willoughby on social media.
