A FOOTBALL team has condemned “disgraceful and tasteless” comments aimed at their transgender team-mate after she was selected to represent England.

Blair Hamilton, who was born male but identifies as female, currently plays for Hastings United Football Club women's team.

The 32-year-old, a PhD student at the University of Brighton, was recently selected for the England Universities Sport Women's squad.

Since the call-up, the goalkeeper, who is thought to be one of the first trans women to compete in an international football competition, has been the victim of social media abuse. 

This week, 17 members of the University of Brighton Women’s second string squad showed their support for Hamilton, who they described as an “inspiration on and off the pitch” and an “amazing person”.

In a statement shared by The Telegraph, the team said they were “proud” to have Hamilton represent them on a national stage, and that all players and staff connected with the team would “continue to support Blair on and off the pitch.”

Fellow player Andrea Barquero said: “Playing alongside Blair, having her not only as a valuable team-mate but also as a friend, it is frustrating to see her hard work and talent be a topic of debate.

“She deserves to play and represent the England Women’s Universities' squad without her talents and skills being scrutinised. We will always support Blair on her journey, with love and enthusiasm.”

Blair is also lead investigator of the Tavistock Transgender Athlete Study.

Hamilton started her PhD in January 2020, examining the effects of gender-affirming hormone treatment on the sporting performance and physiology of transgender athletes in the School of Sport and Health Sciences at the university.

In an interview with the LGBTQ publication Pride of Terraces in November 2020, she said: “Being male-born, the general argument which I’m trying to disprove in my research is that trans women have an advantage and that you’re taking a place away from a girl.”

In response to the call-up, Newick-born TV presenter Piers Morgan said: “At least one of them won’t now play for England because a previously very average male footballer is now an international women’s player. Ridiculous.”