FA Bans Transgender Women from Women’s Football

The Football Association (FA) has confirmed that transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s football in England from June 1, 2025.

The move follows a landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this month which legally defined a woman based on biological sex. Previously, the FA allowed transgender women to play on a case-by-case basis, requiring proof of low testosterone levels.

In a statement on Thursday morning, the FA said it had reviewed its policy in light of the court’s ruling and legal obligations:

“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA.

Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.

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This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football, then we would review it and change it if necessary.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.

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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, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”

The FA added that it understands the impact this decision may have on those affected and is reaching out to all currently registered transgender players to explain the new policy and explore ways they can stay involved in the game.

Currently, there are believed to be no transgender women in professional football in England or Scotland, but around 20 are participating at grassroots level this season.

The Scottish FA has also introduced a similar policy, restricting women’s football to players assigned female at birth from age 13 upwards.

The FA’s decision aligns with recent bans on transgender participation in women’s competitions across athletics, cricket, and rugby.