Emma Hayes has criticised the “ridiculous” treatment of Barbra Banda, after the Orlando Pride and Zambia forward was named the BBC women’s footballer of the year.
The head coach of the US women’s national team was responding to a question about the wave of online abuse Banda has faced since her award win. The 24-year-old scored four goals at the Olympics this summer and 13 for Orlando in the 2024 season to be named the NWSL’s most valuable player (MVP).
The BBC was criticised for giving the award to Banda, who topped a public vote, after reports that she had failed gender eligibility tests, prompting her withdrawal from the 2018 and 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her agent, club and the Confederation of African Football have said she did not take a gender eligibility test and was withdrawn by the Football Association of Zambia.
“Barbra Banda is an amazing football player,” said Hayes, speaking before the USA play England at Wembley on Saturday. “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.”
The Harry Potter author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, vocal critics of transgender and DSD (differences in sexual development) athletes in women’s sport, have led the criticism of Banda winning the award.
Hayes said: “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.”
The retired USA forward Megan Rapinoe added to the chorus of support for Banda, posting on social media: “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.”
