Megan Rapinoe defends Zambian soccer star Barbra Banda in gender row after JK Rowling attack

WASHINGTON, DC: Former United States women's soccer team captain Megan Rapinoe has come out in defense of Zambia's star soccer player Barbra Banda after the latter got embroiled in a gender row, and was targeted by author JK Rowling.

According to the Daily Mail, 24-year-old Banda was crowned BBC Women's Footballer of the Year on November 26, which sparked outrage among some conservative groups and brought up questions about the athlete's gender.

Barbra Banda's gender row

The controversy stemmed from the fact that Barbra Banda was left out of Zambia's Africa Cup of Nations squad in 2022 on "gender eligibility grounds".

It is speculated that the team bosses became aware that her testosterone levels were higher than those permitted by the Confederation of African Football, and as such she had to stay out of the major international tournament.

However, Banda regained the limelight after she helped her team Orlando Pride win the NWSL championship, and scored four goals at the Paris Olympics for Zambia over the summer.

Bandra topped the public vote to win the 2024 BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

Barbra Banda faces criticism from JK Rowling

The recognition received by Barbra Banda has been criticized by certain women's rights groups and conservative members of the soccer community in light of her exclusion from AFCON two years ago, reported the Daily Mail.

Among those to lash out at the BBC's decision was 'Harry Potter' author JK Rowling, who took to the social media platform X to react, "Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women's faces."

Notably, Rowling had referred to Algerian boxer Imane Khelif as a "man" after Khelif defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics 2024. Rowling was later named in a criminal complaint filed to French authorities over alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against Khelif.

Megan Rapinoe's defense of Barbra Banda

Meanwhile, FIFA Women's World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe has come out in defense of Barbra Banda amid the raging controversy.

Posting a photograph of her with the NWSL trophy, on Instagram Story, Rapinoe wrote, "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."

"Proud as hell that you're a womens footballer, pushing the games to new heights. We love you Babs."

She further slammed those trying to demean Banda, saying, "And to all the hateful little people out there hate hate hatin, HOP TF OFF, yall are sad."