Respected football commentator Lucy Zelic has spoken out about the controversy surrounding a women’s football team that won a tournament while fielding five trans players, stating that she believes they should not be allowed to play against biological women.
The Flying Bats team made it to the Beryl Ackroyd Tournament in Sydney on March 24, winning every match they played and emerging 4-0 victors in the grand final, with one trans player scoring six goals in a 10-0 romp over way to the title.
Officials from rival clubs contacted governing body Football NSW to express their concerns, with some insisting the Flying Bats should play in the mixed competition, which also includes men.
Now Zelic – who organized the World Cup for SBS – has made her feelings about the controversy clear in a series of tweets this week.
Football expert and former SBS World Cup commentator Lucy Zelic (pictured) has divided Australians with her stance on a women’s football team using trans players
Sydney’s Flying Bats team (pictured) won a recent tournament without dropping a match, even outscoring their opponents 10-nil on their way to victory with five trans players in the squad
“Looking at this through the lens of sports, I disagree with transgender participants in women’s sports,” she wrote.
‘Not because I’m transphobic, but because I’m a big believer in protecting the integrity of the sport.
“Trans people too are people and deserve to be given grace, understanding and a place where they can be heard, but no one is interested in hearing both sides of this discussion – just shouting and using radical language to demonize lives, cancel or destroy. .
“It should be okay for me, or any woman, to respectfully raise concerns about the inclusion of transgender people in their spaces, but that is not the case and that in itself is alarming.”
Zelic then slammed anti-trans campaigners for using “horrible and disgusting language,” as she blamed them for creating an atmosphere where people who respect transgender people feel they cannot express opinions like hers.
“Women are terrified to speak openly about this issue and that is not okay,” she wrote.
Zelic said women are “terrified” to speak openly about the issue – and made it clear that while she supports trans inclusion, she doesn’t believe trans players should have to compete against biological women to protect “the integrity of the sport.” to protect.
In a later tweet she added: ‘The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 “protects people from unfair treatment on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or relationship status, pregnancy and breastfeeding.”
“But what do we do when the safety and well-being of biological female footballers is at risk and what protection do we have for them?”
Zelic also posted a link to one article quoting Frank Parisi, president of the St. Patrick’s Football Club – whose team plays in the same league as the Flying Bats – and claims 24 female players have left the team to avoid playing on the sidelines.
Her position divided those who responded to the posts.
“During uncomfortable times when no one is willing to speak their mind, true leaders emerge. I hope people listen to your measured analysis. Great post, Lucy,” wrote one.
Zelic also posted a link to a story that quoted the president of a club competing against the Flying Bats as claiming that 24 of his players had quit to avoid facing the team.
“Nothing like an ‘I’m not transphobic, but’ immediately after a blatantly transphobic comment,” another hit responded.
‘Lucy Zelic even did the whole “Oh, I’m not transphobic, I’m just concerned and asking questions!” schtick, like a little SBS coded Joe Rogan… It’s SO depressing F**k transphobia, f**k homophobia, f**k racism Get up, don’t knock down,” another tweeted.
The former SBS star’s comments came shortly after Harry Potter author JK Rowling waded into the queue by reposting the same story about the Flying Bats that Zelic shared.
On the Flying Bats official website, they claim they are ‘the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world’.
Club president Jennifer Peden told Daily Mail Australia: ‘As a club, Flying Bats FC stands strongly for inclusion and prides itself on safe, respectful and fair play, the promotion of a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits of participating in sports, especially for marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values our cisgender and transgender players equally.
Earlier this week, Harry Potter author JK Rowling (pictured) joined the ranks by reposting the same story about the Flying Bats that Zelic shared
“We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.
“These guidelines, together with the Sex Discrimination Act, form the basis for Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association’s gender inclusion policies at the community, grassroots level at which we play.
‘Trans women belong in the women’s league because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have been playing at the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to advanced, just like our cis women.
“Our players are assessed for skill and placed in the team most appropriate for their skill and experience level.”
The respected commentator was accused of being transphobic by some social media commentators, while others praised her stance
A Football NSW spokesperson said the organization is “proud to be at the forefront of developing inclusive policies for sport in Australia and operates within the existing legal framework, including anti-discrimination legislation.”
“Football NSW continues to align with Football Australia’s endorsement of the Australian Human Rights Commission guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport,” which will allow community players to participate in gender-based football with which they identify,” the spokesperson said.
The Australian Sports Commission’s statement on trans and gender diversity reads: ‘All Australians should have the opportunity to be involved in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity.
‘It is important that sporting organisations, from local clubs to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity in the communities they are part of, and that together we ensure that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.’