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Starting June 1, transgender women will no longer be allowed to participate in women’s football in England. This decision follows a legal ruling by the UK Supreme Court on April 15, which defined “woman” legally as referring to biological sex. The Football Association (FA) reversed its earlier policy, which had imposed stricter requirements on transgender women wishing to play. The change has sparked a significant public debate over inclusion in sports.

Legal Ruling Spurs Change in FA Policy

On April 15, the UK Supreme Court ruled that the term “woman” refers to biological sex, prompting the FA to revise its policy regarding transgender women in football. The FA announced that only individuals born biologically female would be allowed to compete in women’s football, effective June 1. This reversal follows the FA’s policy update on April 11, which had outlined more stringent conditions for transgender women seeking to continue in women’s football.

“We have always committed to reassessing our stance if legal, scientific, or policy-related circumstances shift,” said the FA in a statement. The association acknowledged that the decision may be distressing to those affected, and they are currently informing players and discussing ways to keep them involved in the sport.

Impact on Transgender Players

The FA confirmed that fewer than 30 transgender women are currently registered in amateur football in England. There are no transgender women playing in professional football in the UK. While the number of players affected is small, the policy change is significant for those involved.

The Football Association’s move follows similar actions from other sports governing bodies. Scotland’s football authorities are expected to introduce a similar ban, and England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to implement similar restrictions soon. Netball has already issued its new rules, with the female category set to include only those born female starting 1 September.

Previous FA Policy and Inclusion Efforts

Before the reversal, the FA had introduced a policy on April 11 that allowed transgender women to participate under specific conditions. These included providing proof that their testosterone levels remained below a set threshold for a year and ongoing hormone treatment reviews. A representative from the FA would attend matches to ensure that the requirements were being met, with final approval resting with the association.

This policy had been seen as a limited step toward inclusion, but the new ruling has closed that door. The FA emphasized that the decision is not ideological but legally motivated, to align with the Supreme Court’s interpretation.

Mixed Reactions and Growing Controversy

The FA’s decision has sparked a sharp divide in public opinion. Supporters of the ban, including Fiona McAnena of the rights group Sex Matters and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies, argued that the change restores fairness in women’s sport. Davies, who is an outspoken critic of transgender inclusion in women’s sports, expressed satisfaction with the decision, calling it a return to fairness and safety for women and girls.

On the other hand, advocates for transgender inclusion expressed alarm over the policy shift. Natalie Washington, spokesperson for Football vs Transphobia, stated that many transgender women now feel they have no safe way to continue playing football. The campaign group Pride Sports, which supports transgender athletes, maintained that there is no evidence linking the participation of transgender women to safety risks.

The equality group Kick It Out condemned the ruling, urging the FA to continue supporting the trans community. They warned that such policies could lead to increasing transphobic abuse in the sport, both on the pitch and online.

Other Sports Follow Suit

The FA’s decision is part of a wider trend in UK sports, where governing bodies are revisiting their policies on transgender athletes. The Ultimate Pool Group had previously banned transgender women from their female division, and other organizations like snooker and billiards are reassessing their own rules.

Other major sports, including athletics, swimming, and cycling, have already banned transgender women from competing in women’s events. In response to the growing controversy, British Triathlon has introduced an open category for athletes of all gender identities.

The FA is reaching out to the 28 registered transgender women affected by the new policy to explore how they can continue their involvement in football. Rugby and hockey have already adopted stricter eligibility rules, adding pressure on the FA to follow suit.

The FA emphasized that their goal has always been to ensure broad access to sports, but the Supreme Court’s ruling posed potential legal risks that required the association to revise its stance.

While some view the change as a necessary correction, others argue that it discriminates against a marginalized group. This ongoing debate highlights the complexity of balancing fairness, inclusion, and legal requirements in sports.