A Premier League referee has hit back at Harry Potter author JK Rowling by using a quote from one of the franchise's favourite characters, Albus Dumbledore.
It comes after Rowling, 58, referred to a transgender football manager as a "straight, middle-aged white bloke".
The writer came under fire recently after making comments about former match official Lucy Clark.
LGBTQ+ charity Pride UK had taken to X to announce: "Lucy Clark, the world’s first openly transgender referee, has made history by becoming the first trans manager in the top 5 divisions of English women’s football.
"The former referee has taken over at Sutton United. FABULOUS."
Rowling quickly responded to the tweet, stating: "When I was young all the football managers were straight, white, middle-aged blokes.. So it's fantastic to see how much things have changed."
Madley took aim at JK Rowling over her tweets
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After facing backlash, Rowling continued her argument, responding to claims she was "bullying" the women's football coach and had compared them to a "middle-aged bloke" with: "I didn’t compare him to one. He IS one."
Hitting back, Premier League referee Bobby Madley referenced a quote penned by Rowling herself in the Harry Potter books.
He wrote: "I'm pleased to say Lucy is a great ambassador, well respected within refereeing and most importantly a good, kind person.
"'It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be.’ – Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Ironic."
Rowling's comments were made about trans football manager Lucky Clark
|The author faced criticism for "mocking" Clark but doubled down on her comments, stating: "Calling a man a man is not 'bullying' or 'punching down.'
"Cross-dressing straight men are currently one of the most pandered-to demographics in existence, and women are under no obligation to applaud the people caricaturing us."
Responding to another accusation of bullying, she added: "You’re right. No demographic is more vulnerable and oppressed than large, tattooed crossdressers who get plum jobs in women's sport. I don’t know how I could have been so cruel."
Also taking to X, Clark penned in response: "Another day of hate-fuelled transphobia against me… but hey guess what I am living my best life. Wake up everyday with my beautiful family around me.
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Rowling labelled Clark a 'middle-aged bloke'
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"Everyday I laugh and have things to look forward to. Who’s winning at life … the one who’s happy and smiling or those hating?" (sic)
Clark isn't the only public figure in recent months to find themselves in a public spat with Rowling over her trans views.
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe distanced himself from the author once again this month in a new interview when the topic was brought up.
Rowling also engaged in a war of words with trans newsreader India Willoughby on social media.