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Piers Morgan Condemns Transgender Women’s Pool Final, Sparking Fairness Debate
Television personality Piers Morgan has strongly criticized the Ultimate Pool Group after a final in a professional women’s event in Wigan was contested between two transgender women. Morgan described the situation as “preposterous” and accused the sport of “cheating bulls***,” igniting further discussion around the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Haynes Wins Women’s Pro Series Event
The controversy arose after Harriet Haynes defeated Lucy Smith with an 8-6 victory in the final of a Women’s Pro Series tournament. This event is part of the Ultimate Pool Group’s 2025 women’s circuit, which features eight tournaments in total. Both Haynes and Smith are transgender women, leading to a significant backlash on social media platforms.
Sharron Davies Voices Strong Opposition
Adding to the criticism, former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies labelled the event “b****y ridiculous and grossly wrong in every way.” Davies asserted that sports governing bodies “hate their female players” for allowing such participation, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding fairness and biological advantages in women’s competitions.
Morgan’s Social Media Reaction
Sharing a post from Reduxx Magazine on X, which inaccurately suggested “two men” were competing for a “women’s championship title,” Piers Morgan amplified the criticism. He added his own comment: “Why anyone supports this cheating bulls*** is utterly beyond me,” expressing strong disapproval of transgender women competing in women’s pool.
The Ultimate Pool event took place at Robin Park Leisure Centre in Wigan and was broadcast live on UltimatePool.tv and various social media channels, increasing visibility and public reaction to the final.
Match Results and Player Pathways
Harriet Haynes’ journey to the title included wins against Megan Proctor and Mary Talbot. Lucy Smith reached the final by defeating Kirsty-Lee Davies and Danielle Randle, showcasing the competitive nature of the Women’s Pro Series.
Past Controversy Surrounding Haynes
This is not the first instance of controversy involving Harriet Haynes. In November 2023, she was awarded a walkover victory in the Women’s Champion of Champions final in Prestatyn when her opponent, Lynne Pinches, refused to play due to concerns about fairness. Pinches’ actions and subsequent comments shed light on the growing unease among some female players.
Lynne Pinches’ Fairness Concerns
Lynne Pinches articulated her stance in an interview with TalkTV, stating, “Whenever you play a transgender player, even if you win, it doesn’t make any difference because in your heart, you know it’s unfair.” She emphasized the perceived biological advantage, arguing, “This is a category advantage, being biologically male and playing against females, gives you a clear category advantage.”
Pinches further elaborated on the perceived physical differences: “Every time I play a transgender player, I think about it before, during and after the match, about how unfair it is and how this is a level I can’t reach.” She added, “I watch some of the shots they play, and I think females don’t play these shots down the rails like this and they don’t clear up like this. They have a longer reach, a lot of them are taller than us.”
Pinches also suggested a chilling effect on dissent, saying, “Women have been silenced because of fear of being transphobic, that is why people don’t speak out about this subject. It’s not a gender issue, this is a fairness issue,” framing the debate as centered on equitable competition rather than discrimination.
Prestatyn Forfeit and National Attention
The incident in Prestatyn, where Pinches forfeited the match immediately after the initial lag shot, gained international attention and sparked intense debate across various platforms, highlighting the sensitivities and complexities of transgender inclusion in sports.
Haynes Responds to Online Abuse
Following the Prestatyn incident and subsequent online discussions, Haynes revealed that she faced a barrage of online abuse, describing it as a “cess-pool of awfulness” and “horrific.” The player detailed the severity of the personal attacks, highlighting the negative impact of the controversy beyond the sport itself.
Haynes Defends Right to Compete
Harriet Haynes, who transitioned over ten years ago, has consistently defended her right to participate in the women’s pool category. In an interview with the BBC, she stated, “Trans women are not a threat to pool. We’re not coming over in droves… there’s nothing to fear,” seeking to allay concerns about an overwhelming influx of transgender players impacting women’s pool.
Governing Bodies Reverse Policy on Transgender Players
Sport governing bodies have faced challenges in establishing definitive policies. In August 2023, the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and Ultimate Pool Group initially announced a policy stipulating “only naturally born women would be eligible” for the women’s series. However, this ruling was later reversed, indicating the difficulties in formulating universally accepted guidelines.
Revised Policy and Player Reactions
The WEPF subsequently clarified their position, stating, “Providing regulatory conditions are met… transgender and non-binary players will be able to participate in the women’s series.” This policy reversal disappointed players like Pinches, who advocate for stricter regulations, while Haynes supported the amended stance. Haynes asserted she would withdraw from women’s pool “if there was categoric evidence that I had a massive advantage over someone else, I would stop. But there isn’t,” indicating a willingness to adhere to evidence-based policies.
Upcoming Women’s Pro Series Events
The next Women’s Pro Series events are scheduled to take place in May at the home venue of Bolton Wanderers, continuing the series amidst ongoing discussions and scrutiny regarding transgender inclusion in professional women’s pool and sports in general.