Female darts stars threatened with bans by governing body if they refuse to play transgender opponents

FEMALE darts stars are being threatened with disciplinary action if they refuse to play against transgender opponents.

They were warned they were bringing the sport into disrepute if they withdrew from a match.

But the World Darts Federation crackdown — which comes four months after British ace Deta Hedman, 64, refused to play trans darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven — has outraged campaigners.

Fiona McAnena, a director at human rights charity Sex Matters, said: “As if it’s not bad enough that women face unfairness, they’re being forced to play or lose their future chances as well.

“They lose twice over.”

Dutch player van Leuven, 27, has divided darts since she joined the women’s circuit in 2022.

In May, she won the PDC Women’s Series title in Wigan — eight days after beating male rivals in a mixed event.

But as it began planning for the world championships, the WDF said in a statement: “Once the first dart has been thrown in a tournament, any player that subsequently withdraws from playing a match may be considered to be bringing the game into disrepute and could face disciplinary action.”

Pool player Lynne Pinches, who last year refused to play a trans opponent, said: “This is darts. Punishing women for conceding a match to protect their own mental health is nothing short of disgusting.

“They will be disciplined so they behave like good girls.”