The Football Association (FA) of England has announced a significant shift in its gender participation policy, confirming that transgender women will no longer be allowed to play in women’s football competitions under its jurisdiction. This decision follows a recent Supreme Court judgment affirming that, under UK law, the legal definition of a woman is based strictly on biological sex.
The implementation of this new policy is scheduled to take effect from the 1st of June, marking a notable change from the FA’s previous framework, which permitted transgender women to apply for inclusion in women’s football provided they met specified eligibility conditions. Those requirements included submitting an application form and meeting medical and legal criteria, such as testosterone levels and identity documentation.
However, in light of the court’s ruling, the FA said it had no choice but to review and revise its stance, describing the issue as “a complex subject” that required careful legal and policy consideration. In a formal statement, the football body acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter while reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity within the scope of national and international legal frameworks.
“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, while also operating within the law and aligning with policies set by UEFA and FIFA,” the FA stated. “Our current policy, which had allowed transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was guided by that principle and developed in consultation with expert legal advice.”
Although the decision restricts transgender women from participating in female categories of the sport, the FA added that it is actively reaching out to those affected. According to the organisation, registered transgender women players are being contacted individually to ensure they are supported and encouraged to remain engaged in football through alternative avenues that comply with the revised policy.
This move by the English FA mirrors similar policy trends emerging in global sports bodies and comes amid ongoing debate around gender identity and fairness in women’s sports. While the ruling and subsequent ban have sparked mixed reactions from advocacy groups and the wider public, the FA maintains that its approach is a reflection of both legal obligations and evolving standards in international sport governance.
