English FA bans trans women from playing in women's competitive football

Trans women will no longer be able to play in women’s competitive football in England from the start of next month, the Football Association has announced.

The decision follows news that the Scottish FA was introducing the same ban in its competitions from the start of next season.

Organisations and institutions throughout the UK are having to consider the impact of the decision on the legal definition of “woman” and “sex” by the Supreme Court earlier this month, with sporting bodies amending regulations as a result.

Currently, around 20 trans women play competitive football in England, with their participation being approved on a case-by-case basis, and subject to testosterone testing and other checks.

That will change, with the association introducing a blanket ban.

“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 said in a statement.

“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.

“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 April 16 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 June 1, 2025.”

The FA’s decision came on the same day that the Scottish FA formally confirmed its own changes.

A Scottish FA statement read: “Following the recent Supreme Court judgment that ‘sex’ means biological sex for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010, the Scottish FA will update its policy on gender participation in domestic football to reflect this outcome.

“The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued the following guidance –

“Under the Act:

A ‘woman’ is a biological woman or girl (a person born female).
A ‘man’ is a biological man or boy (a person born male).”

“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. Under the Scottish FA Player Journey, players move to competitive football at Under-13 level.

“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.

“In the meantime, the Scottish FA will consult with relevant stakeholders to ensure consistent application of the updated policy.”