Overview

• The Football Association (FA) and Scottish Football Association will prohibit transgender women from participating in female football competitions starting June 2025 in England and the 2025-26 season in Scotland.
• This policy change aligns with the UK Supreme Court's April 16 ruling, which legally defines a 'woman' based on biological sex under the Equality Act 2010.
• Approximately twenty registered transgender players will no longer be eligible for women’s teams and are being contacted to discuss alternative participation options.
• Until now, FA rules permitted transgender women to compete if they maintained low testosterone levels, in compliance with UEFA and FIFA policies.
• Advocacy groups are divided, with For Women Scotland welcoming the ban, while critics argue it undermines inclusivity and impacts a small, non-elite group of players.