The only transgender football player in Scotland affected by a rule change implemented by the SFA has told STV News she feels “sick” and “heartbroken”.
It was confirmed on Tuesday that the Scottish FA is to change its rules on transgender players, bringing in a ban on anyone who was not born biologically female from playing in women’s competitive football.
The decision from Hampden is the latest in a series of changes across sport that affect how trans people can access competitive sport.
The SFA is one of many organisations and institutions having to consider the impact of the decision on the legal definition of “woman” and “sex” by the Supreme Court earlier this month.
The rule change affects any trans women with the ambition or desire to play competitive women’s football – banning them from taking part.
When the Scottish FA rules take effect, it will mean that no trans women will be permitted to play alongside biological females in competitive football in Scotland at any level.
It also effectively acts as a barrier to reaching continental or international competition without moving to a country that permits participation.
The governing body says there are currently no trans women registered to play in women’s competitive football.
However, STV News has spoken to one person who says she would have been affected were it not for an injury.
Jasmine Angove was a registered player with Edinburgh Uni Thistle in the fifth tier of the SWPL last season but a serious knee injury has meant she can’t play this season.
Angove runs Gender Goals – Scotland’s first trans and non-binary football club.
“I feel shock. I haven’t really processed it. I have so much anxiety, I feel sick.”
Jasmine Angove
Under the new ruling, Angove won’t be able to play for her club again.
“Unfortunately for me, it does feel personal,” Angove told STV News.
“I love playing grassroots football and inclusive football but I also like playing at a more competitive level.
“I like being challenged and with these girls that we play with and against I am not the strongest, I’m not the tallest, I’m not the fastest and I’m not the best.
“But I love to play with them and we have a great bond. I’ve spoken to the club today and they are all supporting me and are shocked and saddened as well.”
She added: “Now I won’t get the chance to play with them again. Which breaks my heart.”
Angove added: “Can you think of a top trans footballer? It’s me. And I’m in the fifth tier and get injured all the time.
“It’s a non-issue and a knee-jerk reaction in response to the UK Supreme Court.”
“I feel shock. I haven’t really processed it. I have so much anxiety, I feel sick.
“I’m wondering when I’m going to break down. I live for football, and now I don’t have that.
“And it’s just me that’s been banned. It feels very personal, no one consulted me about it, no one came to watch me play.
“I’m heartbroken.”
Angove says she supported the previous regulation, saying she doesn’t believe trans people who haven’t taken hormones should be allowed to play the women’s game.
She added: “The regulation was fit for purpose and I fully agreed with it.
“Now they’ve got rid of them, they have succumbed to fear instead of science.”
In the Scottish FA handbook, rule 20.1 states: “In any match played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, other than the exception permitted in Article 20.2, all of the participating players shall be of the same gender.”
The exception referred to is for games involving players who are under the age of 15 at the start of the year, who are allowed to play in mixed games. There’s also a rule clarifying that coaching and instructional courses can be mixed.
The existing rules mean trans players can play in women’s football on a case-by-case basis, with testosterone levels being regularly monitored.
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