Former England forward Lianne Sanderson has slammed the ‘disgusting’ abuse aimed at footballer Barbra Banda.
The Orlando Pride striker was voted the BBC Women’s Footballer of The Year after her performances in the 2024 Olympics, the National Women’s Soccer League after becoming the second most expensive women’s signing in history at $740,000 [£585,691].
Banda has just finished an impressive season in the NSWL[/caption]
But after winning the award, the Zambia star was soon on the receiving end of a tidal wave of transphobic abuse, with some claiming her victory was ‘damaging to women’s sport’.
Banda withdrew from Zambia’s 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations due to fears she would fail a gender verification test.
Zambian officials were concerned her testosterone levels would exceed those permitted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
However, her career has continued without issue since.
In response Sanderson, who played for England and in the Women’s Super League, took to X to support Banda.
“Congratulations to this incredible player and person,” she wrote. “It’s a shame that some people can’t handle when Black women or people from a minority are successful. Just call it for what it is.
“But you are a rockstar @BarbraBanda11 and you have more support than you know. We are with you.”
Addressing the abuse on talkSPORT2’s Women’s Football Show, Sanderson highlighted the transphobia in the replies to her original post.
She said: “It makes my blood boil. I think it’s an absolute disgrace I really do.
“It’s interesting because this tweet I sent out in support of Barbra Banda – her club even had to do that as well, everybody is doing it.
“And it’s just something that really bothers me. People can say it’s not about race, it’s not about this. But I feel like every single time a black person or a person of colour wins an award, there’s always something.
“This tweet I sent out got 386,000 views. I also sent out another tweet saying all these people coming at me with this transphobia, I hope you have a look at yourself.
“She’s not transgender, and even if she was, who cares?! Why do you care so much?”
Harry Potter author JK Rowling was among those who criticised the BBC awarding Banda, saying the decision amounted to ‘spitting in women’s faces’.
“All these people that are saying ‘save women’s sport’, have you ever been to a women’s sporting event?” Sanderson continued.
“Have you ever been to a game of football in your life in the women’s game? They probably haven’t.
“It really bothers me because Barbara Banda has won an amazing award.”
Sanderson then compared Barba’s experience to that of Algerian Olympic gold medallist boxer Imane Khelif at Paris 2024.
She continued: “Similar to the boxer, Imane Khelif, when she won everyone was saying ‘oh, she’s a man’.
“It must make [that person] feel so bad. I wrote to Barbra as well, I don’t know her but she just said ‘thanks legend’ and that felt quite nice.
“She needs this type of support. I just think it’s disgusting, I think it’s a disgrace, I think there’s a lot of people out there spreading ‘news’. Fake news.”
After the backlash, a BBC spokesperson responded.
They 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.”
United States Women’s manager and former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes also condemned the transphobia Banda has been subject to.
“Barbra Banda is an amazing football player,” she said. “It’s 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 firsthand in the Olympics – the way she stretches the line, her ability.
“I speak so highly of her because in the women’s game we talk about all top players that come from more traditional nations. I think it’s great that we see such quality coming out of Africa and for her to make the impact that she has.
“My assistant coach [Lisa Cole] 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.”
Former USWNT winger Megan Rapinoe also weighed in and threw her support behind Banda.
She wrote on Instagram: “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.”
Banda scored 13 goals in 22 games in Orlando Pride’s run to their first ever NWSL championship this campaign, making her the second-highest scorer in the league behind Kansas City’s Temwa Chawinga’s 20.
The 24-year-old became Africa’s all-time leading Olympic women’s football scorer at Paris 2024, too.
After scooping Women’s Football of The Year award, she wrote on social media: “I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side.
“This [award] goes to the fans who support my career, my teammates who make everything possible, and my coaches who give me proper guidance.”
