The Football Association has announced a ban on transgender women from playing in women’s football in England starting next season.
This significant policy change follows the recent Supreme Court judgment that legally defined women solely by biological sex.
The FA has previously allowed transgender women to participate in women’s teams on a case-by-case basis, requiring reduced testosterone levels.
The organisation had maintained it would consider changing its rules if scientific or legal developments demanded such action.
The Football Association has announced a ban on transgender women from playing in women’s football in England starting next season
PA
This reversal comes despite hopes expressed by some transgender athletes that football would maintain its more inclusive stance.
According to the FA, among the 10-plus million who play recreational or grassroots football in England, only 20 transgender players are registered.
There are currently no transgender women in the professional game.
The FA had only recently adjusted its policy a few weeks ago, introducing marginally stricter eligibility rules.
These changes have now been superseded by the complete ban following the Supreme Court ruling.
FA chief Mark Bullingham had been under pressure to change the organisation’s policy on transgender footballers
PA
A statement read: “As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA.
“Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.
“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 Supreme Court’s ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy.
“Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.
“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 is the latest sports governing body to implement such restrictions, joining a growing trend accelerated by the Supreme Court ruling.
Swimming, cycling and athletics had already introduced bans on transgender women at elite level before the court announced its decision.
However, football’s position as England’s most popular participation sport gives this policy change even greater significance.
Natalie Washington, a transgender woman who has played grassroots football in Hampshire since 2017, says the FA’s decision will likely end her football career.
“I play for this team because it feels like it’s somewhere I feel understood, safe and included,” she told ITV News.
Washington underwent gender reassignment surgery in 2017 and has found a sense of belonging in women’s football.
“I’m in a semi-rural area, there are no inclusive teams, specific LGBT teams or anything like that,” she explained.
“If I’m not eligible in one and I’m not safe in the other, then that is probably it for me in terms of playing.”
Washington has expressed serious concerns about being forced to play in men’s football instead.
“I’d have no chance physically, that would make it very difficult, and that is just factoring in fair competition,” she said.
“I would feel very worried about violence and abuse and harassment which we know that happens in the men’s game.”
