Protesters have gathered outside the BBC offices as the broadcaster awarded “Women’s Footballer of the Year” to a player who failed to meet gender eligibility rules.
Barbara Banda, 24, was handed the award on Tuesday, despite previously being withdrawn from the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations over gender regulation concerns.
The Orlando Pride player received the most votes from BBC Sport website readers after being part of a five-player shortlist.
The broadcaster’s decision has sparked outrage from women’s rights groups, including the campaigners Twelve O Five.
The broadcaster’s decision has sparked outrage from women’s rights groups
The group shared a post on their X account urging people to join them in protesting against the BBC outside their headquarters today.
They were joined by other campaign groups such as For Women Scotland, holding signs reading: “Save Women’s Sports” and “No Men in Women’s Sports.”
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns for Sex Matters, a human rights charity, told GB News: “No wonder women are protesting outside an event that should be a celebration of exceptional women’s achievements.
"These women are expressing what most people think but dare not say.”
She added: “There is serious doubt that Banda is female – it is much more likely that he is a male with a disorder of sex development based on reports that he failed a gender test. No female footballer has ever been asked to lower her testosterone levels, as Banda has.
“Males with disorders of sex development are rare, but they are hugely overrepresented in women’s competitions because their male advantage gives them speed and strength. It’s likely Banda is one such, like the South African runner Caster Semenya.”
She suggested that the BBC should celebrate female players instead of a footballer who failed a sex test.
Other prominent activists such as JK Rowling also shared their thoughts.
Barbara Banda, 24, was handed the award on Tuesday
GETTYRowling said: "Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women's faces."
Tracy Edwards, a British sailor called the award a “destruction of women’s sports.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “As well as playing in the past two Olympic Games and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Barbra Banda plays for the Zambian national women’s team and in the USA for Orlando Pride making her fully eligible for the award which celebrates talent in women’s football. The five-player shortlist was decided by an expert panel made up of current and former professionals, coaches and journalists based on performances in the last twelve months, with the winner voted for by the public.”
