A male-born transgender athlete has quit a British soccer team when faced with opposing teams refusing to play against his team after he broke an opponent’s knee during a match. But even after quitting, the trans player is threatening to sue.
Opponents had refused to play against Francesca Needham, 30, after he broke a female player’s knee as she tried to block his shot. Many claimed they were “terrified” to face Needham on the field, according to the Daily Mail.
Needham ultimately resigned from the Rossington Main Ladies team in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, saying he did so for the good of the team after many opponents refused to play them. But he was not happy to fade off into the sunset.
In a statement to the team’s Facebook page, Needham decried the fact that he “faced challenges from teams unwilling to play against us while I am on the field.”
He went on to warn about legal action.
“This unfortunate circumstance has prompted me to investigate pursuing a case of discrimination, as I believe it represents a breach of a code of conduct regarding diversity and inclusion, as well as safeguarding of adults in football established by both the Football Association and the Sheffield and Hallamshire Women and Girls League,” he wrote.
“It’s disheartening,” Needham continued, “to acknowledge that this situation contradicts everything in the diversity and inclusion policies, given that I have diligently met every single requirement set out by the Football Association to play.”
“I sincerely hope that this issue of perceived discrimination against me can be resolved peacefully and promptly,” he concluded.
Rossington Main Ladies gave Needham their full backing, and why not? They don’t face injury on the field at Needham’s hands. Their opponents do.
A manager for an opposing team — who asked the media not to name him — noted that Needham is a large and powerful player whose size frightened opponents.
Hellbound and Down 