Trans row as female darts stars threatened with disciplinary action if they refuse to play transgender rivals

Earlier this year, Deta Hedman refused to go up against Noa-Lynn van Leuven - who is transgender - after being drawn against the Dutch athlete at the Denmark Open.

Hedman said she wants to be able to compete 'on a fair and level playing field' while calling for a 'compromise'.

Female darts stars are now being 'threatened' with disciplinary action if they refuse to go up against their trans opponents.

Fiona McAnena, a director at human rights charity Sex Matters, has condemned the development.

“As if it’s not bad enough that women face unfairness, they’re being forced to play or lose their future chances as well," she said.

"They lose twice over.”

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Van Leuven joined the women's circuit in 2022 and has split opinion in the time since.

She won the PDC Women's Series title in Wigan back in May, just days after beating men in a mixed event.

Pool player Lynne Pinches also refused to play a transgender rival last year.

She found news of the threat of disciplinary action 'disgusting', saying: “This is darts. Punishing women for conceding a match to protect their own mental health is nothing short of disgusting.

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“They will be disciplined so they behave like good girls.”

The WDF said in a statement: “Once the first dart has been thrown in a tournament, any player that subsequently withdraws from playing a match may be considered to be bringing the game into disrepute and could face disciplinary action.”

Meanwhile, history was made earlier this week when trans runner Valentina Petrillo raced in the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the 400m at the Paris Paralympics.

Petrillo has become the first transgender athlete to take part at the Games.

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This is Darts. Punishing women for conceding a match to protect their own mental health is nothing short of disgusting. They will be disciplined so they behave like good girls. @Riley_Gaines_ @sharrond62 @SportSEENuk @WomensRightsNet @SexMattersOrg pic.twitter.com/Sh2FA2QsXj

— Lynne Pinches (@PinchesLynne) September 2, 2024

The Italian missed out on a spot in the final and reacted by saying: "I tried until the end, I couldn't do it. I missed the last straight.

"I pushed harder than this morning and I tried. They are stronger than me. There is nothing I can do.

"I had to do 56 (seconds) to get into the final. It’s impossible, 57.58 I have to be happy even though I’m a little upset.

“But I hope my son is proud of me. That’s important to me because I’m a trans dad, it’s not everyone’s dream dad. But I hope he will be proud of me.

“I hope he will always stand by me, I hope that he loves me even if I am like this.

"I can’t help it if I’m like this, I’m sorry. Don’t treat trans people badly. We suffer. It’s not fair. We don’t hurt anybody.

“It’s all so beautiful (at the Paralympics). Afterwards how will it be out there? It’s not beautiful like this. It’s not all purple (her favourite colour) out there.”