In a landmark decision, the Football Association (FA) has announced that transgender women will no longer be permitted to play in women’s football in England from 1 June 2025. The move follows a ruling by the UK Supreme Court on 15 April that legally defines a woman as someone born biologically female.
The FA had only recently updated its transgender policy on 11 April, setting strict eligibility conditions for transgender women to continue playing. Under those rules, players were required to demonstrate consistently low testosterone levels, maintain hormone therapy, and undergo an FA-led match observation. However, the Supreme Court’s ruling prompted a reassessment, resulting in a complete policy reversal.
“This is a complex subject,” the FA said in a statement. “Our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy, we would review it and change it if necessary.”
The ruling will impact fewer than 30 registered transgender women in England’s grassroots football, with no known transgender women currently playing professionally across the Home Nations. The FA has begun contacting those affected to explore ways they can remain involved in the sport.
The decision is expected to set a precedent, with the Scottish FA reportedly planning a similar ban. Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is also considering an outright ban on transgender women from women’s cricket, and England Netball has just introduced new guidelines barring transgender women from the female category starting in September.
Reactions have been sharply divided.
Supporters of the policy shift argue it restores fairness and safety to women’s sport. Human rights group Sex Matters hailed the ruling as “overdue,” while former Olympian Sharron Davies posted on X, “This is great news for the safety and fairness of all our girls and women in football.”
The Women’s Rights Network said the FA had “finally seen the light,” while former FA chairman Lord David Triesman called the previous policy “foolishness” and demanded accountability from senior FA officials.
On the other hand, advocates for transgender rights have expressed deep concern. Natalie Washington, campaign lead for Football vs Transphobia, said the ban will drive transgender women out of the sport. “Most people clearly don’t feel that they can go and play in the men’s game for reasons of safety, for reasons of comfort,” she said.
Anti-discrimination group Kick It Out warned the change could have “far-reaching consequences,” noting a rise in transphobic abuse both on and off the pitch. “Football should be a space for belonging, connection, and joy,” the group said.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesperson reiterated the government’s position that “biology matters in women’s sport,” while insisting that the responsibility lies with individual sporting bodies to set rules in compliance with the law.
The FA, which describes its revised approach as a legal necessity rather than an ideological stance, maintains it acted in response to legal advice. Officials feared the previous policy could leave the organization vulnerable to legal claims from biologically female players.
The governing body insists it remains committed to inclusion but acknowledges the difficulty of balancing competing rights. “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 FA is the first major UK sporting body to update its transgender policy in direct response to the Supreme Court ruling. Other organizations, including Ultimate Pool Group and British Triathlon, have implemented gender-based categories in recent years, with more expected to follow.
Chioma Kalu
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