Meghann Burke, executive director of the NWSL Players Association, has defended Barbra Banda after the Orlando Pride forward winning an award attracted criticism from JK Rowling and sections of the British press.
Banda, 24, was named BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year on Tuesday after the Zambian forward helped lead the Orlando Pride to a domestic double this season.
But Banda has received a barrage of online abuse accusing her of being a “man” and “cheating” other female athletes out of the prize.
The claims stem from reports two years ago that the Zambian Football Federation (FAZ) withdrew Banda from its squad for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco over concerns about a gender verification test, as mandated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). FIFA and CAF confirmed last year that she was not disqualified from participation in any of their competitions.
However, the Harry Potter series author claimed the BBC was “spitting in women’s faces” by awarding the title to Banda, who scored 13 goals in the Pride’s regular season and four in the playoffs as she was named the NWSL’s most valuable player.
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Barbra Banda: The softly-spoken Zambian goal scorer making noise with Orlando Pride
Rowling wrote on X: “Presumably the BBC…
