Emma Hayes ‘disappointed’ by criticism of Barbra Banda after Zambia star’s BBC Women’s Footballer award win

The Orlando Pride and Zambia forward has been the target of hostile comments and abuse online following her award win. 

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Banda’s BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award win follows her finishing as the NWSL’s second highest scorer this seasonCredit: AP

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The Zambia forward’s goals helped Orlando Pride with the NWSL Championship for the first timeCredit: GettyBanda, who captains her national side, helped Orlando win a National Women’s Soccer League title for the first time in their history this year. 

However the BBC’s decision to award her their Women’s Football of the Year has seen the forward face a torrent of abuse on social media. 

Criticism of the organisation awarding the prize to Banda follows the player being withdrawn from two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations contests amid claims she failed a gender eligibility test. 

This includes the tournament hosted in Morocco two years ago which was won by South Africa.

However her agent Anton Maksimov and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) say she did not take a test.

They said her withdrawal was down to the Football Association of Association Zambia.

Author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies have been among the public figures who criticised Banda’s BBC award win.  

However some of the women’s game most powerful organisations and individuals have come to the forward’s defence.

This includes Hayes, two-time World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe and the NWSL Players’ Association.

Hayes said: “It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, 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, and we saw it firsthand in the Olympics (when she played for Zambia).”

“Quite frankly, I’m disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.”

Banda, who made her senior international debut in 2016, has made 63 appearances for her country

This includes featuring in three games at last year’s Women’s World Cup after Fifa deemed her eligible to play. 

This season Banda scored 13 goals in 22 NWSL games helping Orlando win the divisions title.

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Banda captained the Zambia team that competed in last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New ZealandCredit: GettyHayes added: “I speak so highly of her because in the women’s game, we talk about all top players that come from more traditional (football) 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. 

“I know my assistant coach (Lisa Cole) coached her at Zambia, and talked about what an amazing person she is. She has our full support.”