Britain's only woman football agent has begun a court battle against the Professional Footballers' Association for sex discrimination after she was barred from its annual awards dinner.

Rachel Anderson, 41, of Westcliff, is claiming exemplary damages against the PFA for an alleged breach of the Sex Discrimination Act and "injury to feelings".

Mrs Anderson had been invited to the 1998 ceremony by one of her clients, West Ham defender Julian Dicks, and wrote to the PFA asking for confirmation that she would be welcome.

John Bowers QC, representing Mrs Anderson, told the Central London County Court that the PFA chairman Gordon Taylor wrote back that it would not be acceptable to his members to change the men-only policy.

Mr Taylor concluded his letter: "I hope you will not take offence at this but the same position applies to all females whether they are connected to football or related to players."

Mr Dicks then fired off a letter to Mr Taylor telling him his policy was "the last whimperings of a dinosaur".

Mrs Anderson, the only woman agent accredited by FIFA, is being supported in her battle by Prime Minister Tony Blair, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the TUC.

Discrimination battle - Rachel Anderson outside court yesterday

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