Broadcaster Hid Hundreds of Comments Including Martina Navratilova’s Response About Khelif Following Leaked XY Chromosome Test
LONDON — Britain’s largest commercial broadcaster has been accused of censoring hundreds of social media comments about Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif — including a response from tennis legend Martina Navratilova that referred to the athlete as male.
The explosive row erupted after ITV allegedly hid numerous comments on X following their post about Khelif, who was recently banned from women’s boxing by World Boxing after leaked test results showed XY chromosomes.
Nine-time Wimbledon champion Navratilova’s comment — “But a male beating the crap out of women is not too bad, apparently” — was initially hidden from view, requiring users to click through to read it.
Censorship Storm
The broadcaster posted an article with the headline “Naming Imane Khelif has caused ‘immeasurable psychological damage'” after the Algerian Boxing Federation complained about World Boxing’s decision to name the boxer while introducing mandatory sex testing.
Navratilova’s blunt response was among hundreds of comments that ITV allegedly hid from public view using X’s feature that allows users to conceal responses they dislike.
Her comment was only reinstated after an outcry from social media users, but dozens of other responses remain hidden on the platform.
‘Remarkable Failure’
Women’s rights campaigner Fiona McAnena condemned ITV’s actions, calling it a “remarkable failure by a journalistic organisation.
“It’s shocking that the UK’s largest commercial broadcast network has censored hundreds of gender-critical comments on social media, many of them simply referring to Imane Khelif as male,” she said.
Hiding a simple truth about a major news story is a remarkable failure by a journalistic organisation.
JK Rowling Quotes Hidden
McAnena highlighted particular concern over the treatment of Navratilova’s comment: “It’s scandalous that ITV hid a reply from tennis legend Martina Navratilova, which they reinstated after an outcry.
She added: “But what of the hundreds of other replies that remain censored, some of which do nothing but quote JK Rowling about the boxing row?
The campaigner warned that without an apology, ITV would damage its credibility as a respected news organisation.
Leaked Test Results
The controversy comes after 3 Wire Sports published what it claims are leaked medical reports showing Khelif’s 2023 chromosome test results revealed “male karyotype” with XY markers.
According to the report, a separate medical examination found Khelif was born with a condition known as “5-alpha reductase type-2 deficiency,” showing XY chromosomes, internal testes and a “micropenis.”
Hormone tests reportedly showed Khelif had “male-type testosterone level of 14.7” — with female testosterone typically not exceeding 3.
Olympic Gold Controversy
Khelif won gold at last year’s Paris Olympics despite having been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships when tests indicated the presence of male chromosomes.
The International Olympic Committee allowed Khelif to compete, dismissing the International Boxing Association’s tests as “not legitimate” and part of a “cultural war.
During the Games, Khelif’s Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned their bout after just 46 seconds, later saying it was the hardest she’d ever been hit.
World Boxing Ban
World Boxing, the sport’s new governing body provisionally recognised by the IOC, has now mandated that Khelif must undergo genetic sex testing before being allowed to compete in any women’s events.
The organisation stated Khelif “will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing.
Under the new policy, all athletes over 18 must undergo a PCR genetic test to assess eligibility, which can determine the presence of Y chromosome genetic material.
Social Media Fury
Users who discovered their comments had been hidden expressed outrage at ITV’s apparent censorship.
One commenter with the username Spacedonkey wrote: “ITV has proven that trans ideology is misogynistic. ITV literally wants to silence women and has hidden a post by sports icon Martina Navratilova. ITV, how low can you sink?”
Rebecca Marian said: “Sending female boxers into the ring to box against a male could have resulted in life changing injuries or death for the women. I frankly don’t give a stuff for Khelif’s ‘psychological damage.'”
Navratilova’s Track Record
The tennis legend has been a vocal campaigner on the issue of biological males competing in women’s sports, despite facing criticism for her stance.
During the Paris Olympics controversy, Navratilova had tweeted: “This is on all officials and people in power at the IOC – from the top down – you did this. Hope you’re proud.”
The Bigger Picture
The ITV censorship row highlights the intense debate around transgender and DSD (Differences of Sexual Development) athletes in women’s sports.
Critics argue that allowing athletes with male chromosomes and testosterone levels to compete against females undermines fairness and safety in women’s sports.
Supporters counter that athletes like Khelif, who was raised as female, should not be excluded based on biological characteristics they cannot control.
ITV Silent
ITV has not responded to requests for comment about the censorship allegations or explained why hundreds of comments were hidden from public view.
The broadcaster’s apparent attempt to control the narrative around this controversial story has instead become a story in itself — raising questions about media bias and free speech in the gender debate.
Image credit: Martina Navratilova – September 2011 by Angela George, taken at the AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo on 23 September 2011, licensed under CC BY‑SA 3.0 Unported one hidden comment put it: “Keep hiding the replies – you’re a disgrace.”
