Martina Navratilova labels Barbra Banda 'biological male,' lashes out at controversial BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award

Martina Navratilova labeled BBC Women's Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda a "biological male." The American tennis icon claimed Banda should not compete in women's sports and be eligible for women's awards.

BBC announced Zambian footballer Banda as their Women's Footballer of the Year. The 24-year-old Orlando Pride player has been one of the standout performers in women's football this year as she has won the NWSL Championship MVP and has been nominated for the NWSL MVP, and the Ballon d'Or.

Controversy ensued after allegations of Barbra failing gender eligibility tests came to light, due to which she failed to make the 2018 and 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations squad for Zambia. However, there is no concrete proof that the Orlando Pride forward had taken any gender eligibility tests.

Lianne Sanderson, former Arsenal women's team player, stood in solidarity with Banda along with two-time women's World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe and current US Women's team manager Emma Hayes. Sanderson's message of support for Banda on X, however, faced backlash. She wrote:

"We know this place is toxic and nothing surprises me on here but honestly the disgusting transphobia I am seeing since my tweet yesterday supporting Barbra Banda. Has even left me speechless. The anger and rage that some have is really on another level. Some people really are awful……"

To this, former World No. 1, Navratilova, alleged that the Zambian footballer is a 'biological male.'

"Banda is not trans- Banda is an XY biological male with DSD. Should not be competing on the women’s teams and for sure should not be getting awards that belong to females," Martina Navratilova wrote.

Along with Navratilova, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, were among those criticizing Barbra Banda’s receipt of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

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Martina Navratilova agrees with Sharron Davies' reaction to Barbra Banda winning BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award

Martina Navratilova at The Championships - Wimbledon 2023 (Image: Getty)

Following BBC's announcement that Barbra Banda won the Women's Footballer of the Year award, an X (formerly Twitter) account cited reports that Real Madrid decided against signing her due to her alleged failed gender tests.

The X account wrote:

"Zambian footballer Barbra Banda has been named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year. This is despite the fact that Banda is banned from playing in the African Cup of Nations, and Real Madrid opted against signing the player, after Banda reportedly failed a gender verification test"

Olympic swimmer Sharon Davies reacted to the report and wrote:

"Just bl*ody ridiculous"

Martina Navratilova shared Davies' reaction and wrote:

"Yup"

Martina Navratilova consistently advocates for preserving women-only spaces in sports, emphasizing the physical advantages of male bodies regardless of identity. While supporting equal rights for all in daily life, she believes sports should prioritize sex-based categories to ensure fairness for female athletes.