Overview

• The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has finalized a policy barring transgender women from participating in competitive women’s football from under-13s upwards starting next season.
• This decision follows the UK Supreme Court ruling on April 16, 2025, which clarified that the Equality Act defines sex as biological, allowing lawful exclusion in gender-affected sports.
• Under previous SFA rules, transgender women could compete on a case-by-case basis if they met testosterone level requirements, but no transgender women are currently registered in Scottish women’s football.
• The English Football Association (FA) is reviewing its inclusion policies and seeking legal advice but has not yet imposed a similar ban.
• Other sports governing bodies, including cricket, snooker, and pool, are also revising or have already implemented policies restricting transgender women’s participation in women’s competitions.