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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

‘Ridiculous’ to criticise Barbra Banda for BBC award, Emma Hayes insists

Barbra Banda Emma Hayes JK Rowling Sharron Davies Football NWSL United States Orlando Pride
Barbra Banda celebrates with the NWSL championship and MVP trophies after Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit in the 2024 Championship match.
Barbra Banda celebrates with the NWSL championship and MVP trophies after Orlando Pride beat Washington Spirit in the 2024 Championship match. Photograph: Jay Biggerstaff/USA Today Sports

Emma Hayes has criticised the “ridiculous” treatment of Barbra Banda, after the Orlando Pride and Zambia forward was named the BBC women’s footballer of the year.

The head coach of the US women’s national team was responding to a question about the wave of online abuse Banda has faced since her award win. The 24-year-old scored four goals at the Olympics this summer and 13 for Orlando in the 2024 season to be named the NWSL’s most valuable player (MVP).

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