sport news Female darts star who FORFEITED over refusing to play against a transgender ... trends now
British female darts player Deta Hedman has shed new light on her decision to forfeit a tournament after refusing to face a transgender player - as she hit out at 'totally untrue' claims about her reason for withdrawing.
The 64-year-old, who has been a vocal critic of rules allowing transgender women to compete in women's tournaments, pulled out of a quarter-final match at the Danish Open.
Hedman was due to face Noa-Lynn van Leuven but decided to boycott the match, bluntly telling German newspaper Bild: 'I'm not playing against a man in a women's event.'
Claims were later made by darts presenter and journalist Phill Barrs on social media platform X that Hedman had pulled out after alleging she was unwell and 'in pain' - enabling her to withdraw without losing any ranking points.
Hedman immediately back at him, saying: ''No fake illness, I said I wouldn't play a man in a ladies event. Don't listen to @phillbarrs he knows sweet fa, nor does his reliable source.'
British female darts player Deta Hedman has spoken out after she refused to play against a transgender player at a tournament
In a lengthy statement, she hit out at claims she had faked an illness to withdraw without losing her ranking points
Now the veteran player - one of the most well known figures in the women's darts scene - has attempted to clarify the situation with a lengthy post on Facebook.
She wrote: 'This is not about the rights or the wrongs about my decision at the Denmark Open yesterday but I want to put the record straight.
'I went to control to speak to Carsten Jappesen, who was the tournament director and asked for a private chat. We went to an area backstage and not even my other half Paul witnessed what was said. Certainly no other officials were in earshot and definitely not other players were there.
'I understand Phill Barrs has made posts on X etc that are totally untrue. A friend contacted him and he claims he was told by a reliable source. I know his source and that's why I state only Carsten and myself were present in that meeting. I didn't falsely claim to be sick so that I could protect my ranking points.
'This 'journalist' quoted similar about Anca Zijlstra, which resulted in Anca receiving online abuse and threats - again he said a reliable source informed him!
Hedman said the claims were 'totally untrue' and slammed them as 'absolute c**p'
She also reiterated why she believes men have a significant advantage over women in darts
'Perhaps Phil you should check both sides of a story before posting absolute c**p that not only is inaccurate but now on two occasions have falsely accused two ladies that have caused grief.'
Hedman later reiterated the advantage men have over women in darts after a fan questioned what the main difference was.
'You ever suffered from menstrual, peri menopause, menopause, fibroids, endometriosis etc? By your response, I very much doubt it.'
Hedman had later written to Save Women's Sport - an international campaign calling for 'fairness in women's sport' that says 'biological sex matters'.
She said to the group: 'This subject causing much angst in the sport I love . People can be
