FA Bans Transgender Women from Competing in Women’s Football

The Football Association (FA) has announced that transgender women will be prohibited from playing in women’s football in England starting from June 1st. This decision follows the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on April 15th, which established that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

The FA had initially amended its rules on April 11th, introducing stricter eligibility criteria for transgender women to participate in women’s football at all levels. However, in light of the Supreme Court’s judgment, the FA has now scrapped that policy entirely. Moving forward, only individuals born biologically female will be permitted to play in women’s football in England.

In a statement, the FA explained, “This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary.”

Recognizing the impact of this decision, the FA is offering free therapy through Sporting Chance, a mental health support charity for sportspeople, to those players who are now banned from competing. The FA stated, “We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”

The FA noted that there are fewer than 30 registered transgender women among the millions of amateur football players in England. There are currently no registered transgender women in the professional women’s game across the Home Nations.

In related news, the Scottish FA also announced on Thursday that they would be banning transgender women from women’s football in Scotland. Sources have indicated to BBC Sport that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is also expected to follow suit and ban transgender women from the women’s game, with a decision anticipated after their board meeting on Friday. Similarly, England Netball has also changed its guidelines, banning transgender women from its female category.

The Football Association of Wales has stated that it will “await further guidance for the sports sector” before making a decision. The Irish Football Association, when contacted by BBC Sport NI, said they would “review the judgment and interim guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission” and are “committed to taking the necessary steps to fulfil our obligations under the Equality Act 2010, as clarified by this ruling.”