Moment female pool player refuses to play against her transgender opponent as she forfeits the tournament final and walks out because she felt it was ‘unfair to compete against a trans woman’

A female pool player was applauded and cheered when she lost the final of a tournament in protest at having to play against a trans woman.

Lynne Pinches refused to play her opponent Harriet Haynes at the Ladies Champions of Champions event in Denbighshire, Wales.

Footage shows the player approaching the referee to inform them of her decision to forfeit the match and say goodbye to her chance to win the tournament.

She then returned to her seat, grabbed her cue and left the arena as a stunned audience watched.

Her stunned opponent was then allowed to collect the trophy by default.

Lynne Pinches (left) refused to face Harriet Haynes on Sunday, leaving her opponent stunned

Haynes was given the title of Women’s Champions by default after Pinches’ withdrawal

Pinches’ brother Barry praised his sister on social media for “taking a stand” and expressed his opinion that it was “unfair” for her to be challenged against a trans player.

“All credit and great respect to my sister Lynne Pinches yesterday for taking a stand and not competing in the biggest match of her pool career because she believes it is so unfair to have to compete against a trans woman.

“I completely agree with her position that it is completely unfair to expect women to compete against trans women in billiards or any other sport.”

Pinches was one of several top female players who spoke out about allowing transgender women to compete against them in elite competitions.

The controversy now rocking the top levels of women’s professional pool began on October 24 when the sport’s international governing body, the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF), changed the rules on the participation of trans players in female tournaments.

Despite her retirement, Lynne Pinches stayed on site to pose with her second trophy

Haynes was also crowned 2023 Ladies Masters Champion in an impressive 2023

Initially, in August, as more and more trans players signed up to play in women’s tournaments, the WEPF had issued a joint statement with its main sponsor, the Ultimate Pool Group, stating that “these events will be open only to individuals born female . ‘

But just eight weeks later, there was a shocking reversal of this decision, which some female players said was made under pressure from legal threats from transgender competitors.

The WEPF and Ultimate Pool have released an update on the participation of transgender and non-binary players in competitions, stating that there would be no discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

They stipulated that they would adopt a gender “self-identification policy” for competitors, but added that they reserved the right to test whether testosterone had been suppressed to the level required by the International Olympic Committee of trans athletes.

Within a week of this announcement, more than 60 professional female pool players joined forces via a WhatsApp support group to oppose the changes, the Mail on Sunday was told.

After his sister’s strike on Sunday, Barry said the sport would look back in the coming years and conclude it is “grossly unfair to women who have practiced hard and competed in their chosen sport.”

Barry added: “For the record, this post is about fairness in women’s sports, that’s all. I have no problem with anyone wanting to identify themselves as anyone, and I have nothing against Harriet Haynes.”

Pinches had defeated the England captain 5-4 in the semi-finals in a match that her son, Tommy, claimed was ‘her final’.