Footie star Barbra Banda at centre of gender row controversially named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

A FOOTIE star at the centre of a gender row has been controversially named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Zambian striker Barbra Banda, 24, missed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 due to elevated ­levels of testosterone in a gender test.

She has now topped the Beeb’s poll after her performance at the Olympics in the summer.

But ex-GB swimmer Sharron Davies branded her win “just bloody ridiculous”.

And sailor Tracy Edwards called it “the destruction of women’s sports”.

Banda, who plays for US side Orlando Pride, said: “I am shocked and surprised to have this.

"It is for everyone.

“If I kept on thinking about what was going on in the past, I would not be where I am now.”

A BBC spokesman defended her inclusion and said the result was based on a public vote.