"Man takes womans award"- Riley Gaines reacts to Megan Rapinoe praising Barbra Banda for winning Women's Footballer of the Year

Riley Gaines reacted to former American soccer player Megan Rapinoe praising Zambian footballer Barbra Banda for winning the NWSL Women's Footballer of the Year. Rapinoe applauded Banda for her success, despite the controversy around her gender identity.

In a post accessed by Fox News, 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."

Gaines reacted to the same by posting on her X handle,

"Megan Rapinoe to the MAN who won Women's Footballer of The Year: '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.' Man takes woman's award while women applaud it. Progress!

Gaines indirectly referred to the controversy around the Zambian player, who had withdrawn from the Women's African Cup of Nations in 2022 over talks around her gender identity. Banda was allowed to participate at the Paris Olympics, as well as the National Women's Soccer League, where she contributed to Orlando Pride's first-ever NWSL Championship over Washington Spirit, as she scored the lone goal of the match.

Riley Gaines had previously called out Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who was allowed to participate at the Paris Olympics despite having a past similar to that of Banda. Khelif was allowed to participate at the Paris Olympics, despite the controversy around her gender identity.

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Riley Gaines's take on Megan Rapinoe's support for trans athletes

Riley Gaines' take on Megan Rapinoe's support for trans athletes [Image Source : Getty]

Riley Gaines' comments on Megan Rapinoe's support for Barbra Banda is not the first time that the former NCAA swimmer has slammed the soccer player for supporting trans athletes. Gaines criticized Rapinoe on several occasions for reportedly ignoring the concerns of other female athletes.

In 2023, Rapinoe affirmed her support for the inclusion of trans athletes in women's soccer. In her conversation with Time magazine, the 39-year-old former soccer player mentioned,

"Absolutely. You’re taking a “real” woman’s place,’ that’s the part of the argument that’s still extremely transphobic. I see trans women as real women. What you’re saying automatically in the argument—you’re sort of telling on yourself already—is you don’t believe these people are women. Therefore, they’re taking the other spot. I don’t feel that way."

Gaines reacted to her comments by replying in an interview with Fox News Tonight, as she said,

"Not only is she just a high-profile athlete, she's actually someone who fought for women in sports. She fought for equal pay. She fought for equal access, equal resources, all of those things in comparison to the women's U.S. national soccer team, to the men's and now she is undermining her fight entirely.

The 24-year-old former NCAA swimmer also called out Rapinoe for 'virtue signaling' as she added,

"This is a classic case of virtue signaling. She wants to be seen as kind. She wants to be seen as inclusive, but it is not inclusive what she's fighting for. It's actually exclusive. It's exclusive to the very female athletes who the women's sporting category was created to protect."

Riley Gaines has been campaigning against the inclusion of trans athletes in women's sports since 2022. She has also voiced her opinion against the forceful imposition of Title IX changes by the outgoing US administration.