Overview

• The Football Association (FA) will implement a blanket ban on transgender women participating in women’s football at all levels in England starting June 1, 2025.
• The Scottish Football Association (SFA) will introduce a similar policy for the 2025-26 season, aligning with the FA’s decision.
• The policy change follows an April 16 UK Supreme Court ruling that defines ‘woman’ under the Equality Act as exclusively biological, prompting compliance by sports bodies.
• The FA has contacted approximately 20 registered transgender women players to explain the changes and offer confidential online therapy and alternative roles in football.
• The Wales Cricket Board is expected to adopt a comparable exclusion policy, with discussions scheduled at its upcoming board meeting.