Football Australia will fast-track the development of a national high-performance trans and gender-diverse inclusion policy after an Australian anti-trans rights campaigner allegedly targeted a number of women footballers across New South Wales in recent months, including publishing private information online without their consent.
New South Wales police and other sources have confirmed to ABC Sport that an investigation is underway into Kirralie Smith, the self-appointed director of anti-trans lobby group Binary Australia, who has allegedly been using multiple online platforms to organise the harassment and abuse of women players and footballing organisations, including Football NSW (FNSW) and Football Australia (FA).
Almost 2,700 emails have been sent to FA through Binary Australia's campaigns page, which uses an automated global petition platform with templates pre-written by Smith requesting the national governing body change their policy on the inclusion of transgender players. Thousands more have been sent to FNSW.
Currently, FA and FNSW's inclusion policy aligns with the Australian Human Rights Commission community guidelines, stating that registered players can participate in the competition that aligns with their gender identity.
Under this policy, multiple trans and gender-diverse players have participated in various football competitions for many years without issue, including in the National Premier Leagues.
However, Smith — who was previously the director of anti-marriage equality group Marriage Alliance before it rebranded to Binary Australia following the 2018 plebiscite — recently turned her attention to a number of women players across NSW, allegedly using multiple social media accounts to publish private identifying information without consent, otherwise known as "doxing."
Smith has been contacted for comment.
In a video posted on YouTube channel "Vision Christian Media" on February 15, Smith said Binary Australia also intended to "make a mockery" of FA's policies by registering multiple male players in the women's competition.
ABC Sport understands at least five complaints have been filed with NSW Police on behalf of different people, including two that have resulted in apprehended violence orders.
At least two complaints are being formally investigated by Hate Crimes NSW, while further alleged instances could be brought forward and considered under Australia's anti-discrimination, vilification, and cyber-crime laws.
Several Facebook pages have already been removed following reports, but several posts remain on Twitter despite complaints.
Binary Australia is currently listed as an extremist hate group by the Global Project Against Hate And Extremism (GPAHE), yet the website remains live on Australian servers, as do social media accounts operated by Smith.
In a statement, the E-Safety Commissioner (eSafety) said it does not comment on individual cases, and that its powers extend only so far under current legislation.
"In cases when the content doesn't meet the legislated threshold for removal, we may approach online companies on an informal basis to have the harmful content removed when the content breaches a platform's own terms of service," a spokesperson told ABC.
"We're acutely aware of the serious mental health impacts of online abuse, especially when part of a broader pattern of abuse and discrimination. As part of our compassionate, wrap-around support for targets of online abuse, our investigations team provides referrals to appropriate counselling services.
"eSafety does not conduct general searches of the internet for adult cyber abuse material. We require reports to trigger an investigation.
"We're aware the threshold to remove adult cyber abuse material is high and there'll be cases where we cannot take regulatory action.
"eSafety has civil powers, not criminal powers. If someone is the target of criminal abuse, such as threats of harm or violence, doxing or ongoing and sustained abuse, this can be reported to the police."
Sources have also confirmed to ABC Sport that other registered football participants (including players, coaches, and officials) who have commented, shared, or contributed to discriminatory posts on social media platforms will be investigated by the appropriate football authorities. Punishments could include suspension from competitions as well as possible police charges.
Former basketballer Andrew Bogut and former Liberal Party candidate Katherine Deves, both of whom are outspoken critics of trans people's inclusion in sport, have retweeted Smith's posts questioning the "fairness" and "safety" of trans women playing football, as well as the opportunities purportedly denied to cisgender players.
There are currently no openly trans women playing football at the elite, professional level anywhere in the world, while only a small minority participate in lower levels of the pyramid in Australia.
As a result of the recent alleged harassment of several players, Football Australia will accelerate the development of its own "high performance inclusion policy", which will encompass the national teams, Member Federations, grassroots competitions, and the A-Leagues.
A working group has been put together consisting of footballing stakeholders, industry experts, medical researchers, and advocates to develop the policy "based on objective and relevant information, data, and criteria".
The group, which is working alongside Sport Australia, aims to assess available research, as well as the lived experience of trans and cisgender participants, to decide whether specific, bespoke eligibility criteria is necessary — and if so, what should be considered, and what its scope should be in terms of the levels of the pyramid it applies to.
FA intends to finalise the policy before the Women's World Cup that kicks off in late July. In the interim, the governing body will work with Pride In Sport to implement education and training programs that target misinformation and build greater awareness and understanding of trans inclusion in the football community.
"Football prides itself on being the most multicultural, diverse, and inclusive sport in Australia," FA said in a statement.
"Football Australia is committed to living its values and in doing so, creating environments where people of all experiences and identities, regardless of background, race, sexuality, or gender identity, feel welcome and encouraged to participate in the world game."
