Cerys Vaughan, the teenage footballer who was banned by the FA for asking a transgender opponent "Are you a man?", has revealed her identity and is demanding an apology from football authorities.
The 18-year-old was handed a six-match ban last year after questioning a bearded player during a friendly match in Lancashire.
Her case has now been dropped after the complainant withdrew.
Vaughan, who plays for Leigh Genesis in Greater Manchester Women's League Division 2, was involved in a pre-season friendly against Manchester Laces, an openly pro-LGBTQ+ team, in July last year.
Cerys Vaughan is demanding an apology from the FA
BBC SPORT
During the "boiling" summer day match, she asked a transgender opponent with "a beard" if they were a man and raised safety concerns with the referee.
Following the incident, Vaughan was charged by Lancashire FA with "using abusive and/or indecent and/or insulting words or behaviour".
The FA alleged it was an aggravated breach due to reference to gender reassignment.
Despite denying the charges, Vaughan was found guilty by a National Serious Case Panel and banned for six matches, with four suspended for 12 months.
In February, an FA appeal board quashed the ruling, delivering a damning judgment that found she had not received a fair hearing during a three-hour video call that left her in tears.
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The board recommended a fresh hearing take place.
However, the case was dropped in April when Vaughan's accuser withdrew from the process due to what the FA described as "personal reasons".
Vaughan is now demanding an apology from the FA for her treatment, saying: "I think they're cowards."
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Cerys Vaughan branded the FA 'cowards' after banning her
BBC SPORT
"It was stressful. It's definitely impacted my normal life a lot," Vaughan told BBC Sport in her first broadcast interview since revealing her identity.
"In the end it was pointless, and there was no reason for the FA to put me through all this."
Vaughan, who is on the assessment pathway for autism, believes women should be "prioritised" in sports.
The FA announced last week that transgender women would be banned from playing in female football in England, a decision that came shortly after Vaughan's case collapsed.
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Cerys Vaughan had her case thrown out by the FA after the complainant dropped out
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This policy change follows a Supreme Court ruling on single-sex spaces delivered minutes after Vaughan was told her case had been dropped.
Vaughan criticised the FA for waiting for a court ruling "if they knew it was wrong the whole time".
In a statement, the FA said: "We can confirm that this disciplinary case has now been closed, as the complainant has chosen to withdraw from the process due to personal reasons."
Vaughan's mother praised her daughter for standing up for what she believes is right, saying: "I'm very, very proud of her."
