Respected soccer commentator Lucy Zelic has weighed in on the controversy surrounding a women’s soccer team that won a tournament with five trans players, stating that she believes they should not play against biological women.
The Flying Bats team won the Beryl Ackroyd tournament in Sydney on March 24, winning every match they played and winning 4-0 in the grand final, with a trans player scoring six goals in a 10-0 win on their way to title.
Officials from rival clubs have contacted governing body Football NSW to express their concerns, with some insisting the Flying Bats should play in the mixed competition, which includes men.
Now Zelic, who has hosted soccer World Cups for SBS, made her feelings about the controversy clear in a series of tweets this week.
Soccer expert and former SBS World Cup commentator Lucy Zelic (pictured) has divided Australians with her stance on a women’s soccer team featuring trans players.
Sydney’s Flying Bats team (pictured) won a recent tournament without losing a single game, even crushing their opponents 10-nil on their way to victory with five trans players on the team.
“If we look at this through the lens of sports, I do not agree with transgender participants in women’s sports,” she wrote.
‘Not because I’m transphobic, but because I firmly believe in protecting the integrity of sport.
‘Likewise, transgender people are human beings 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 argument – just shouting and using radical language to demonize, cancel or destroy lives. .
“It should be okay for me, or any woman, to respectfully raise our concerns about the inclusion of transgender people in their spaces, but it isn’t and that is alarming in itself.”
Zelic criticized anti-trans activists for using “horrible, disgusting language” and blamed them for creating an atmosphere where people who respect transgender people feel they cannot express opinions like hers.
“Women are afraid to speak openly about this topic 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 does not believe trans players should compete against biological women to protect “the integrity of the sport.”
In a later tweet he added: “The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 “protects people from unfair treatment on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or civil status, pregnancy and breastfeeding.”
“But what do we do when the safety and well-being of biological female soccer players are threatened and what protections do we have for them?”
Zelic also posted a link to a article quoting St Patrick’s Football Club president Frank Parisi – whose team plays in the same competition as the Flying Bats – claiming that 24 players have left the team to avoid playing for that team.
His stance divided people who commented on the posts.
‘In 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 and claimed that 24 of his players quit to avoid facing the team.
“Nothing like an ‘I’m not transphobic, but’ immediately after a blatantly transphobic comment,” another responded.
‘Lucy Zelic even did the whole “Oh, I’m not transphobic, I’m just worried and asking questions!” schtick, like a little Joe Rogan coded on SBS…. It’s SO depressing, fuck transphobia, fuck homophobia, fucking racism Lift up, don’t hit,’ tweeted another.
The former SBS star’s comments came shortly after Harry Potter author JK Rowling jumped into the row by reposting the same story about flying bats that Zelic shared.
On the Flying Bats official website, they state that they are “the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world.”
Club president Jennifer Peden told WhatsNew2Day Australia: “As a club, Flying Bats FC strongly champions inclusivity and we pride ourselves on safe, respectful and fair play, promoting a supportive community for players, officials and LGBTQIA+ supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits of participation in sport, 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) jumped in line by reposting the same story about 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, inform the gender inclusion policies of Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association at the community and grassroots level at which we play.
‘Trans women belong in the female competition because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have played in the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to expert, just like our cis players.
“Our players are evaluated based on their ability and placed on the most appropriate team for their ability and experience level.”
Some commentators on social media accused the respected commentator of being transphobic, 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 adoption of the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Guidelines for the Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse People in Sport,” which states that community players can participate in football according to the gender they belong to. identify,” the spokesperson said.
The Australian Sports Commission’s statement on trans and gender diverse inclusion says: ‘All Australians should have the opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ability, cultural background or ethnicity.
“It is important that sporting bodies, from local clubs to national sporting organisations, reflect the diversity of the communities they are part of and that together we ensure that every person is treated with respect and dignity and protected from discrimination.”