BBC’s Women’s Footballer of the Year branded a ‘PR stunt’ in scathing analysis – ‘This is unfair on women!’

Political commentator Alex Armstrong has launched a scathing attack on the BBC after they awarded a controversial player the women’s football award, calling it a “PR stunt.”

Zambia striker Barbra Banda has been crowned BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, sparking fierce controversy due to her previous removal from a major tournament over high testosterone levels.

“The BBC are spitting in women’s faces,” Armstrong said, echoing concerns raised by JK Rowling about fundamental unfairness in the sport.

The 24-year-old Orlando Pride forward received the most votes from BBC Sport website readers after being included on a five-player shortlist.

Speaking to GB News, the political commentator fumed: “I think it’s a PR stunt to raise more awareness about women’s football.

“It’s obviously not a profit making business, right? Otherwise more people would watch it. It’s as simple as that. I do feel like it’s being shoved down our throats.

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“It’s ironic because that’s exactly what JK Rowling is saying she said this is spitting in women’s faces. The BBC are spitting in women’s faces.

“There’s a fundamental unfairness at the heart of this. I saw a statistic that in 2017, 5000 men ran a faster time than the the woman Olympic 400 meter.

“They shouldn’t be competing with men. They shouldn’t be.”

The award announcement comes just two years after Banda was omitted from Zambia’s squad for the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations amid gender eligibility concerns.

Second place went to Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, whilst USA and Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith finished third.

Banda said: “I am shocked and surprised to have this award right by my side.”

Banda’s removal from the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations came after team bosses became aware her testosterone levels exceeded those permitted by the Confederation of African Football.

Her agent Anton Maksimov strongly disputed claims that she had failed a gender test.

“She has not undergone and consequently has not failed any ‘gender verification’ or ‘gender eligibility tests’ administered prior to the tournament,” Maksimov said at the time.

The former professional boxer, who was registered female at birth, reportedly declined to take testosterone suppressants due to concerns about potential side effects.

A BBC spokesperson defended Banda’s eligibility for the award, citing her participation in two Olympic Games, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and her current role with both the Zambian national team and Orlando Pride

The broadcaster emphasised that the five-player shortlist was decided by an expert panel of current and former professionals, coaches and journalists, with no BBC personnel involved.

Banda has achieved significant success recently, becoming Africa’s all-time top scorer in Olympic football history with 10 goals.