Oldham Athletic explored the possibility of fielding the world's best female footballer, Marta, the Brazilian, it has been revealed.

Brazilian striker Marta, voted FIFA's top female player three years in succession, agreed to take part in the publicity stunt that was the brainchild of Oldham managing director Simon Corney and a TV production company, who wanted to make a documentary about whether a woman could hold her own in the men's pro game, says the Daily Mail.

The idea was for Marta, who has recently joined Los Angeles Sol, to come on as a substitute in a pre-season game under the pretext of being a trialist. And it was thought it would have been possible to mask that she was female for a short period. Also, her late appearance would have allowed her to stay away from her team-mates in the dressing room before the game.

However with Marta ready to fly over at a moment's notice from her previous club side Umea in Sweden, Oldham had a change of mind. Chief executive Alan Hardy, a highly experienced football official, and manager John Sheridan were the leading voices in opposition.

Hardy said: "There were discussions with a TV company who have done work for Channel 4, but in the end it wasn't considered appropriate for Oldham to involve themselves in something that could bring ridicule to the club and the League."