Deta Hedman has moved to "put the record straight" after she forfeited the Denmark Open last weekend after being drawn to face a transgender player.
The British darts star was scheduled to face Noa-Lynn van Leuven at the quarter-final stage of the competition.
But she refused to show up in protest against facing a transgender athlete in a women's competition.
She bluntly told German newspaper Bild at the weekend: "I'm not playing against a man in a women's event."
Deta Hedman forfeited the Denmark Open after refusing to face Noa-Lynn van Leuven
PA
There were claims made on social media that she had pulled out of the match due to an illness, but Hedman pushed back on reports on social media.
Hedman said: “No fake illness I said I wouldn’t play a man in a ladies event."
She added: “This subject causing much angst in the sport I love.
"People can be whoever they want in life but I don’t think biological born men should compete in Women’s sport.”
The 64-year-old later released a statement on Facebook further explaining her decision.
"This is not about the rights or wrongs about my decision at the Denmark OPEN yesterday but I want to put the record straight," her statement began.
"I went to control to speak to Carsten Jeppesen who was the tournament director and asked for a private chat.
"We went to an area backstage and not even my other half Paul witnessed what was said, certainly no other officials were in earshot and definitely no other players were there.
Noa-Lynn van Leuven lost to Beau Graves in the semifinals
"I understand Phil Barrs has made posts on X etc that are totally untrue, a friend contacted him and he claims he was told by a very reliable source, I know his source and that's why I state only Carsten and myself were present at that meeting .
"I didn't falsely claim to be sick so that I could protect my ranking points, if Phil posted with any knowledge last 8 of a Gold event would gain me 43 points, the race for lakeside table that would gain me 9 ranking points as my bottom box of 15 that count to lakeside is 34.
"This 'journalist' quoted similar about Anca Zijlstra which resulted in Anca receiving online abuse and threats, again he said a reliable source informed him!
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Deta Hedman is an iconic figure on the women's circuit
PA
"Perhaps Phil you should check both sides of a story before posting absolute c*** that not only is inaccurate but now on 2 occasions have falsely accused 2 ladies that have caused grief."
British pool star Lynne Pinches, who forfeited the Women's Champions of Champions final to transgender player Harriet Haynes in 2023, aired her support for Hedman on social media.
She wrote: "Full respect to her standing for fairness.
"It's not an easy decision to make and we shouldn't have to!! Stop this madness please."