On June 1, England's Football Association will officially prohibit transgender women from competing in women's soccer, a policy shift prompted by a recent Supreme Court ruling that reinterprets gender through a biological lens.
Transgender Women Prohibited from Competing in Women's Soccer in England
Transgender Women Prohibited from Competing in Women's Soccer in England
The Football Association's new ruling follows a Supreme Court decision that redefines gender classification under equality law.
Transgender women will no longer be eligible to play on female soccer teams in England starting June 1, following an announcement by the Football Association (F.A.). This shift in policy comes after a Supreme Court ruling last month clarified that Britain's equality laws are based on “biological sex.” The court determined that trans women do not fall under the legal classification of women.
As a result of this decision, the F.A.—the governing body for football in England—has updated its regulations, stating that “transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England.” This ruling impacts not only professional leagues but also grassroots soccer and regional competitions overseen by the F.A.
The association acknowledged that this new policy might be challenging for some individuals eager to participate in the sport aligned with their gender identity. They have indicated plans to connect with registered transgender women currently active in women’s football to help them understand the changes and explore other ways to remain involved in the sport.
Other sporting organizations are also adapting their regulations in response to the Supreme Court's interpretation. The Scottish Football Association announced that beginning in the 2025-26 season, only biological females will be allowed to compete in competitive girls’ and women’s football.
