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The Football Association (FA) has announced a significant policy shift that will bar transgender women from participating in women’s football in England, effective from June 1, 2025. The change comes in direct response to a landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which clarified that the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act refers exclusively to biological women.
The ruling, issued on April 16, has prompted both the English and Scottish FAs to revise their eligibility criteria for the women’s game. The English FA said the decision aligns with its commitment to operating within national law and international football regulations set by UEFA and FIFA.
“This is a complex and sensitive issue,” the FA said in a statement. “Our previous policy, which permitted transgender women to compete in women’s football, was developed with the goal of inclusivity and guided by expert legal advice. However, in light of the Supreme Court's ruling, we are required to update our policy to remain compliant with the law.”
The FA’s new stance will reverse its recently revised 2024 policy, which allowed transgender players to participate if they maintained testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L for at least 12 months. That framework also enabled the FA to assess individual applications based on potential safety or fairness concerns.
Approximately 20 registered transgender women currently play in England’s football system. The FA confirmed it is in the process of contacting those affected to explain the changes and discuss how they might continue engaging with the sport in alternative capacities.
“We acknowledge how difficult this will be for individuals who simply want to play football in the gender with which they identify,” the FA said. “Our goal remains to make football as inclusive as possible within the boundaries of the law.”
The decision has sparked a divided response. Advocacy groups such as Sex Matters, which campaigns for policies based on biological sex, welcomed the change. “This is welcome but long overdue,” said Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters. “It sets a clear precedent for all sports to re-establish a fair and meaningful women’s category.”
Critics, however, argue the ruling and the policy shift risk further marginalizing transgender athletes. The broader implications for sport are expected to unfold in the coming months, as other governing bodies may face pressure to implement similar restrictions.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram / @lionesses
