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JK Rowling's shameful response to BBC award sees Emma Hayes defend Barbra Banda

Orlando Pride and Zambia forward Barbra Banda has been targeted online by JK Rowling after winning the publicly-voted for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award

[Emma Hayes of the United States talks to the media during a press conference]

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Emma Hayes has defended Barbra Banda (Image: Brad Smith/Getty Images)

Emma Hayes has defended amazing player Barbra Banda following hateful comments from JK Rowling.

The Orlando Pride and Zambia forward has been targeted online after winning the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award. Banda received the award in a public vote after netting four goals at the Olympics and 13 for Orlando to be named as the NWSLs most valuable player.

The 24-year-old has become a lightning rod for hatred after false reports she had failed gender eligibility tests and therefore missed the 2018 and 2022 Womens Africa Cup of Nations. Such reasoning has been denied by Banda, her agent and the Confederation of African Football, but that hasnt stopped prominent anti-trans campaigners like Rowling from continually instigating pile-ons on social media.

Former Chelsea manager Hayes was asked about the situation in a press conference before taking charge of the USA against England at Wembley. Barbra Banda is an amazing football player, said Hayes.

It is ridiculous that she has to endure questions like this, to be quite honest with you. She has our support. Shes someone whos done a tremendous amount, not just for her club but for her country, and what a brilliant season shes had. We should be talking about that, the impact shes had on the NWSL. We saw it first-hand in the Olympics wow, the way she stretches the line, her ability.

She added: I speak so highly of her because, in the womens game, we talk about all the top players that come from more traditional nations and I think its great that we see such quality coming out of Africa.

I know my assistant coach [Lisa Cole, an adviser to the Zambia womens national team] coached her at Zambia and talked about what an amazing person she is, so she has our full support. And quite frankly, Im disappointed when I hear a lot of these things being said.

[Barbra Banda #22 of Orlando Pride celebrates her goal]

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Barbra Banda has been in great form for club and country(Image: Fernando Leon/Getty Images)

Banda has been forced to endure hatred in large parts due to the involvement of Harry Potter author Rowling. Earlier this week, the 59-year-old retweeted a post about Banda to her 14.2million followers with a provocative message.

She wrote: Presumably the BBC decided this was more time efficient than going door to door to spit directly in women's faces.

While Banda has been targeted by Rowling and ex-Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, she has received support from the womens football community.

Ex-USA international Megan Rapinoe wrote: Youve 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.

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