‘I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side.’
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The voters may have spoken, but not everyone is happy with this decision.
Barbra Banda, the controversial striker who was left out of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations due to alleged high testosterone levels, has been named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.
The Zambia and Orlando Pride forward received the most votes from BBC Sport readers after being included on a five-player shortlist.
Banda’s place on that list was criticized by women’s rights groups because of her exclusion from the 2022 tournament by team bosses over allegedly high testosterone levels.
“I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side,” Banda told the outlet.
“I would like to thank the people who voted and everyone who has played a part in my life and my career — my family, my national team in Zambia and especially the Pride team. It is for everyone.”
The Football Association of Zambia shared the news and celebrated how the player had “dazzled on the Olympic stage this summer.”
Second place in the voting went to Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati while Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith was third. American Naomi Girma and Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen also were on the shortlist.
The controversial vote was greeted with several angry responses on social media.
Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies calling it “just bloody ridiculous.”
Round-the-world sailor Tracy Edwards declared the decision “the destruction of women’s sports.”
Women’s Rights Network said there were “no words” to describe the decision after accusing the broadcaster of bringing female sports into “disrepute” with Banda’s inclusion on the shortlist.
The five shortlisted nominees were picked by a panel of soccer experts, including coaches, players, administrators and non-BBC journalists.
“This panel did not include any BBC personnel and the winner was voted for by the public,” the outlet said in an apparent bid to dodge criticism over the choice.
Banda had been left out of Zambia’s squad for WAFCON after reports at the time claimed she failed a gender test.
It later was reported that she was not tested by tournament organizers, but she was omitted pre-emptively when team brass became aware her testosterone levels exceeded those permitted by the Confederation of African Football.
Banda’s agent, Anton Maksimov, previously said any reports the striker had failed a gender test were not true and that she was removed based on an “evaluation of her physical conditions.”
“I can state that Barbra has not been banned or suspended from participating in the current WAFCON by CAF, FAZ, FIFA, or any other governing body,” he said in a statement in 2022.
“She has not undergone and consequently has not failed any ‘gender verification’ or ‘gender eligibility tests’ administered prior to the tournament. Barbra is also perfectly healthy and fit.
“The decision not to currently feature Barbra at the tournament is FAZ’s internal decision based on their own evaluation of her physical conditions before coming to Morocco.
“I reiterate that nothing, no existing regulations that we are aware of, prevents Barbra’s participation in the WAFCON 2022. Barbra has not failed any medical tests in this regard either.”
During the 2024 season, Banda’s first with Orlando, she was named to the NWSL Best XI and won the MVP of the championship game. She scored 16 goals as the Pride won both the regular-season and playoff titles.