England's FA to ban transgender women from competitive women's football

Transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women's football in England after a policy change prompted by a UK Supreme Court ruling on the matter.

Great Britain's highest court ruled on April 16 that only biological and not trans women meet the definition of a woman under equality laws.

It was a landmark decision greeted with concern by trans rights supporters but welcomed by the British government as bringing clarity.

The Football Association (FA), the sport's governing body in England, had allowed transgender women to participate in the women's game, but this will change from June 1.

"The Supreme Court's ruling on April 16 means that we will be changing our policy," the FA said in a statement.

"Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women's football in England."

UK court rules a woman is defined by the gender at birth Photo shows Two women hold hands and celebrate The court upheld an appeal by a campaign group on whether transgender women are legally women under equality legislation.

The FA said the earlier policy allowing transgender women to play was rooted in making the sport accessible to as many people as possible, "supported by expert legal advice" and aligned with international rules set by UEFA and FIFA.

"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," it said.

The decision comes a month after the FA ruled transgender women could continue to play in the women's game as long as they kept their testosterone levels below 5 n/mol for at least 12 months.

A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said although individual sports could determine their own policies, they were still required to operate within the bounds of the law.

"We have been clear that biology matters when it comes to women's sport, that everyone should be compliant with the law," he said.

"And we will continue to ensure women and girls across the country can enjoy sports and we will continue to support bodies to protect the integrity, fairness and safety of the game."

The Scottish Football Association also announced it was banning transgender women from women's football.

"As a gender-affected sport, the Scottish FA board has determined that from the start of season 2025/26 only biological females will be permitted to play in competitive girls' and women's football, which is governed by the Scottish FA," it said in a statement.

"The Scottish FA will provide guidance on the implementation of the updated policy, including appropriate participation opportunities for transgender people, ahead of the policy taking effect from the start of the new season."

Reuters

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