Football Association (FA) has announced that transgender women will no longer be allowed to play in women’s football in England from June 1.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision follows a UK Supreme Court ruling that defines a woman based on biological sex.
The FA had previously amended its rules on April 11, allowing transgender women to play in women’s football if they met certain criteria, including having testosterone levels below prescribed levels for at least 12 months. However, the organization has now scrapped this policy, stating that only those born biologically female will be permitted to play.
“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,” the FA said. The organization added that it is contacting registered transgender women to explain the changes and how they can stay involved in the game.
According to the FA, there are fewer than 30 registered transgender women playing among millions of amateur players in England. The Scottish FA is expected to follow the FA’s ruling, banning transgender women from women’s football in Scotland. Other sports organizations, including the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and England Netball, have also changed or are expected to change their policies.
