The Nebraska State Soccer Association said in a statement it "would never disqualify" a player from participating on a girls' team based on her appearance.
The Springfield Soccer Association told NBC's WOWT News that there had been a typo in the team's registration roster and Mili had been labeled as a boy.
Former USWNT star Abby Wambach continues to speak out in defense of Mili Hernandez, an eight-year-old who was disqualified from a soccer tournament because she "looks like a boy".
Hamm also took to Twitter to invite Hernandez to her TeamFirst Soccer Academy.
"Just because I look like a boy doesn't mean I am a boy", Mili Hernandez told local TV station WOWT 6. Mili's father Gerardo Hernandez even offered Mili's insurance card as "proof" his daughter was a girl.
Teach coach Mario Torres told KMTV in Omaha that tournament officials did not handle a clerical mistake properly. "It could be very insulting and hurtful, particularly to a young person who may be insecure and who may be trying to fit it, and putting stock into what someone else thinks of them", she says.
TeamFirst spokeswoman Cori Boyle told Reuters on Tuesday the academy would consider running a camp in Nebraska if Hernandez is unable to attend any of the other camps now scheduled in the U.S. Midwest.
"This is about more than just playing in a soccer tournament", Wambach said.
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While Mili seems to be taking the mix-up in stride, being identified as the wrong gender can have a big impact on kids, says Health contributing psychology editor Gail Saltz, MD. Those are handled by a separate tournament director and committee.
The disqualification provoked criticism on social media. The girl wears her hair cut short. "Plus a ton of professional female athletes have short hair as it makes it easier".
Mili even drew support from the two-time Olympic soccer gold medallists Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm. "Don't EVER let anyone tell you that you aren't ideal just as you are", she tweeted.
Hernandez said Mili was an enthusiastic player who practiced multiple times a week.
Kate Parker's short, soccer-friendly haircut meant so much to her as a seven-year-old that she paid homage to it in her fabulous book, Strong Is The New Pretty: A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves.
Mili said she was aware of the support and attention.
"The hair doesn't get in your face", she said.





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