Transgender Women Barred From Football In England

Transgender women have been barred from playing in women’s football in England from June 1, the Football Association (FA) has announced.

The decision comes after the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on 15 April that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex. 

FA amended its rules on April 11 allowing only those born biologically female to play.

“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,” the FA said.

“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 English FA’s transgender inclusion policy had been updated just before the Supreme Court ruling, and continued to allow transgender women to play in women’s football provided they reduced testosterone levels.

Those rule changes gave the FA discretion on whether to allow a trans woman to play, with consideration given to issues of safety and fairness.

Now, though, the FA has redrawn its policy and barred transgender women from the women’s game.

The Scottish FA is set to follow the suit by banning transgender women from women’s football in Scotland. 

Also Read: U.S. Sports Landscape To Change As NCAA Outlaws Transgender Athletes

In a separate announcement, the SFA said: “As a gender-affected sport, the Scottish FA board has determined that from the start of season 2025/26 only biological females will be permitted to play in competitive girls’ and women’s football which is governed by the Scottish FA.

“Under the Scottish FA player journey, players move to competitive football at Under-13 level.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is also expected to ban transgender women from the women’s game.

On Thursday, England Netball also amended its guidelines by banning transgender women from its female category.