Starting 1 June, transgender women will no longer be allowed to play in women’s football in England, the Football Association (FA) has announced.
The FA had updated its rules on 11 April, making it harder for transgender women to qualify for women’s football. But after the UK Supreme Court ruled on 15 April that a woman is legally defined by biological sex, the FA has now removed its earlier policy. Only players born female can take part in women’s football going forward.
The FA said, “This is a complex issue. We have always said that if there were changes in law, science, or how the policy works in grassroots football, we would review and adjust it.”
They added, “We know this will be tough for those who want to play the game in their chosen gender, and we are contacting the transgender women who are currently registered to explain the changes and how they can still be part of the game.”
According to BBC Sport, the Scottish FA is expected to follow the same rule, banning transgender women from women’s football in Scotland.
What Was the FA’s Old Rule?
The new rules announced on April 11 say transgender women can still play in women’s football if they meet specific requirements. They need to show medical proof that their testosterone levels have been below a set limit for at least 12 months. They also must provide hormone therapy records and have their treatment reviewed every year. A new formal process includes a “match observation” by an FA official, and the FA will have the final say on each case.
Reactions to the News
Fiona McAnena, campaigns director at the human rights group Sex Matters, said the ruling was “long overdue” and called the old policy “nonsense.”
