Emma Hayes expresses disappointment over criticism of Barbra Banda following BBC award victory

Emma Hayes voiced her anger regarding the “ridiculous” remarks aimed at Barbra Banda following her accolade as BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

The Zambian forward, who plays for Orlando Pride, has encountered a torrent of negative comments and online abuse in the wake of her esteemed recognition. 

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Banda, who captains her national team, played an essential role in helping Orlando claim their inaugural National Women’s Soccer League title this year. 

However, the BBC’s choice to honor her with the Women’s Footballer of the Year title has resulted in her receiving considerable backlash on social media. 

The backlash centers around her withdrawal from two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations matches, where it was claimed that she had failed a gender eligibility test. This included the tournament held in Morocco two years ago, which South Africa won.

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Nevertheless, her agent Anton Maksimov and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have confirmed that no such test was conducted. They clarified that her withdrawal was due to the Football Association of Zambia’s decision.

High-profile figures, including author JK Rowling and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, have criticized Banda’s BBC award. 

In contrast, numerous prominent organizations and individuals within women’s football have come to her defense, including Hayes, two-time World Cup champion Megan Rapinoe, and the NWSL Players’ Association.

Hayes stated: “It’s outrageous that she has to endure these inquiries, and she has our full support. Her accomplishments have been remarkable, both for her club and country, and she has had an outstanding season.”

“We should be celebrating her successes and the impact she’s made in the NWSL, which was evident during the Olympics where she represented Zambia.”

“Honestly, I’m deeply saddened by the level of negativity directed at her.”

Banda, who debuted internationally in 2016, has earned 63 caps for Zambia and participated in three matches at last year’s Women’s World Cup after FIFA deemed her eligible.

This season, she netted 13 goals in 22 NWSL appearances, playing a crucial role in Orlando’s divisional title triumph.

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Hayes added: “I respect her highly because in women’s football, we often focus on players from more prominent football countries. It is exceptional to see such talent emerging from Africa, and her significant impact is praiseworthy.”

“I know that my assistant coach (Lisa Cole) coached her in Zambia and spoke very positively about her as an extraordinary individual. She has our complete support.”