JK Rowling claims the BBC is ‘spitting in women’s faces’ by naming Barbra Banda as Women’s Footballer of the Year despite failing to meet gender eligibility rules.

Zambia and Orlando Pride striker Banda won the title as she received the most votes from BBC Sport website readers after being included on a five-player shortlist.

But Banda’s place in the running for the annual prize was criticised by women’s rights groups because she was previously left out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 by team bosses over allegedly having high testosterone levels.

Her victory, which was announced on Tuesday, did not mention the controversy over her inclusion.

Celebrities including Joey Barton and Sharron Davies hit out at the broadcaster for ‘cheering unfairness on’ and destroying opportunities for female athletes in sport.

Now, JK Rowling has weighed in on the controversy, by claiming the BBC is ‘spitting in women’s faces’.

She responded to a post by The Telegraph reporter Oliver Brown, in which he wrote: ‘Just extraordinary. BBC names player withdrawn from 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations for failing to meet 𝑠e𝑥 eligibility rules as Women’s Footballer of the Year.

JK Rowling shared the post with the caption: ‘Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women’s faces.’

It comes after former British Olympian Sharron Davies said the decision was ‘absolutely ridiculous’.

‘He’s male with a male DSD who’s failed 𝑠e𝑥 tests, the same as Semenya & Khelif,’ Davies added.

The footballer’s agent has previously denied that Banda, who was registered female at birth, failed a 𝑠e𝑥 verification test.

Davies said: ‘It’s so sad the BBC are actively encouraging the destruction & loss of opportunities for female athletes in sport. I’m so disheartened & disappointed they are actively cheering this unfairness on.’

Former British sailor Tracy Edwards added: ‘@BBCSport you are an utter disgrace to broadcasting and journalism.

‘From ‘world renowned source of news’ to ‘international joke and destroyers of women’s sports’. #HoldTheLine #SaveWomensSports.’

Meanwhile, the Women’s Rights Network also chimed in as they said: ‘A footballer who previously failed two 𝑠e𝑥 verification tests and was banned from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has won the @BBCSport Female Footballer of the Year. No words…’

Her agent has previously denied that Banda failed a 𝑠e𝑥 verification test and it is incorrect to suggest that she was banned from that tournament.

However, several others joined in to congratulate Banda, with the Football Association of Zambia sharing news of the award before celebrating how the player had ‘dazzled on the Olympic stage this summer’.

Elsewhere, after receiving the gong, Banda, 24, said: ‘I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side.

‘I would like to thank the people who voted and everyone who has played a part in my life and my career – my family, my national team in Zambia and especially the Pride team. It is for everyone.’

Banda had been nominated for the prize, despite the star having been at the centre of a gender eligibility row.

Banda was left out of Zambia’s squad for the Women’s African Cup of Nations two years ago with reports at the time claiming she had failed a gender test.

It later emerged she was not tested by tournament organisers but she was omitted pre-emptively when team bosses became aware her testosterone levels exceeded those permitted by the Confederation of African Football.

The former professional boxer, who was registered female at birth, according to the Associated Press, allegedly refused to take suppressants to lower her levels out of concerns about potential side effects.

‘All players had to undergo gender verification, a Caf [Confederation of African Football] requirement, and unfortunately she did not meet the criteria set by Caf,’ Andrew Kamanga, Zambia Football Association (FAZ) president had told BBC Sport Africa.

CAF had denied the organisation had made a decision over Banda’s eligibility, with FAZ ultimately having ruled the forward out due to the continental body’s guidelines.

Banda addressed her controversial omission from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in a BBC interview earlier this year, admitting it was ‘very difficult’ to miss the tournament.

Meanwhile, an investigation last year by the Telegraph claimed there was no suggestion that Banda’s testosterone levels were ‘anything but naturally occurring’.

Her agent Anton Maksimov previously said it was not true that she had failed a gender test and that she was removed based on an ‘evaluation of her physical conditions’.

He said in a statement at the time of the tournament: ‘As her official representative, I can state that Barbra has not been banned or suspended from participating in the current WAFCON by CAF, FAZ, FIFA, or any other governing body.

‘She has not undergone and consequently has not failed any ‘gender verification’ or ‘gender eligibility tests’ administered prior to the tournament. Barbra is also perfectly healthy and fit.

‘The decision not to currently feature Barbra at the tournament is FAZ’s internal decision based on their own evaluation of her physical conditions before coming to Morocco.

‘I reiterate that nothing, no existing regulations that we are aware of, prevents Barbra’s participation in the WAFCON 2022. Barbra has not failed any medical tests in this regard either.’

Banda was included as one of five nominations for the annual BBC prize, alongside Naomi Girma, Caroline Graham Hansen, Sophia Smith and reigning Ballon d’Or holder Aitana Bonmati.

The forward became the second most expensive women’s signing in history after joining Orlando Pride for £581,000 last year.

Banda, who captains the Zambia national team, scored four goals at the Paris 2024 Olympics including a hat-trick against Australia.

In the process, Banda became the highest scoring African player in Olympic history by reaching 10 goals.

She is the only player to have scored three hat-tricks at the Olympics having netted three in consecutive matches in Tokyo in 2021.

Meanwhile, according to the International Olympic Committee’s 2021 guidelines on gender identity and 𝑠e𝑥 variations, the organisation aims to ensure that ‘athletes are not excluded solely on the basis of their transgender identity or 𝑠e𝑥 variations’ while also striving to create an environment in which ‘no participant has an unfair and disproportionate advantage over the rest’.

FIFA’s rules on trans athletes state that participating member associations – like the CAF or Football Australia – must ‘prior to the nomination to the national team, ensure the correct gender of all the players to be considered… by actively investigating any perceived deviation in secondary 𝑠e𝑥 characteristics’.

A BBC spokesperson said yesterday: ‘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.’