Woman who opposed Football NSW’s decision to allow trans players fears hate crime charges

A woman who has become the face of outrage over a trans woman‘s domination of a female soccer league is being investigated by police over alleged hate crimes.

Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday she had been forced to seek legal advice after becoming aware trans activists were looking to have NSW Police pin hate crimes on her. 

Ms Smith caused a furore among trans lobbyists last week when she hit social media with claims a trans woman playing in Football NSW‘s League One Women’s 1st Grade had injured multiple players. 

Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith is preparing to fight allegations she committed ‘hate crimes’ by her online comments about a trans soccer player 

Angry parents fed-up with a trans woman’s domination of a female soccer league are campaigning for the competition to ban transgender women from female soccer teams 

That trans woman, who Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name, is currently leading the league’s goal kickers table, with seven goals. 

On Monday night, it was reported by ABC Sport that an investigation into Ms Smith was underway amid allegations she had used multiple online platforms to ‘organise the harassment and abuse of women players and footballing organisations, including Football NSW and Football Australia’.

Ms Smith told Daily Mail Australia her supporters had sent 12,000 emails to ‘a variety of peak bodies’ within Australia, including 2000 directly aimed at Football Australia. 

On Friday, Football Australia announced its ‘High Performance Inclusion Policy’ after reports emerged that parents were campaigning for the New South Wales competition to ban transgender women from female soccer teams.

The league was forced into action amid allegations the trans athlete injured females from an opposing side in a match two weekends ago. 

ABC Sport claimed at least five complaints have been filed with NSW Police on behalf of different people, including two that have resulted in apprehended violence orders.

At least two complaints are being formally investigated by Hate Crimes NSW, while further alleged instances could be brought forward and considered under Australia’s anti-discrimination, vilification, and cyber-crime laws, it reported.

Sources have told ABC Sport that other registered football participants (including players, coaches, and officials) who have ‘commented, shared, or contributed to discriminatory posts on social media platforms’ would be investigated by the appropriate football authorities.

Punishments could include suspension from competitions as well as ‘possible police charges’, it stated. 

Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith and her supporters have bombarded Football Australia with complaints about trans women playing the sport in female leagues 

Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith’s Facebook post caused a firestorm of controversy 

 The trans woman is an active member of her community and came to Australia from the United States 

Ms Smith’s online campaign to have supporters bombard Football Australia with emails has since been deleted. 

In a March 31 twitter post by Ms Smith, which received 259 likes, she again called out the league for failing to address the issue. 

‘Why has Football Australia ignored thousands of emails raising concerns about males in the female league? We warned there would be injuries & that it was unfair. A male has claimed top spot on the goal scoring leaderboard & claims girls have been injured,’ she tweeted. 

Just hours later, Football Australia put out a media release announcing its plans to make soccer ‘the most multicultural, diverse, and inclusive sport in Australia’. 

The policy will see Football Australia deliver LGBTQI+ training and support resources to the football community through its partnership with Pride in Sport. 

‘The aim of this training will be to provide the Australian Football community with a greater understanding of the lived experience of LGBTQI+ communities and their participation in sport,’ the statement read. 

Days earlier, Ms Smith highlighted a trans campaign to cancel her for speaking out about the ongoing issues. 

‘For raising our legitimate concerns we get abused, cancelled and threatened by police. Males who appropriate womanhood and their handmaidens must be so proud of themselves,’ she stated.

Parents and players are concerned the trans woman has a greater advantage

The trans woman is a top goal scorer in the competition 

‘Moira Deeming has been suspended from the Vic Libs after being falsely smeared as a Nazi and for attending Let Women Speak. I attended two events and heard heart breaking stories from women. The only violence and harassment came from the activists and their mates.

‘Take note: 2023 – the year women are silenced, cancelled, bullied, threatened and injured for defending female sex-based services and spaces. SHAME on all who defend such violence and misogyny. YOU make me sick.’

It is understood at least five trans women actively participate in the league across New South Wales.

A Facebook page dedicated to discussing the NPL league blew-up about the issue last week and continues to be bombarded with posts slamming the league’s decision. 

Football Australia has established a Football Working Group responsible for crafting its trans policy and making recommendations for Football Australia approval prior to the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The working group will include representatives from ‘Football Australia, Professional Footballers Australia, Australian Professional Leagues, and state Member Federations’.

The group will collaborate with the Australian Sports Commission and several specialists and medical experts to ensure the policy ‘is based on objective and relevant information, data, and criteria’. 

‘The current position of Football Australia pending the FWG policy development and Football Australia review, remains to allow all players to participate in the competition which best represents their gender identity,’ it stated.