The Football Association (FA), which governs football in England, has announced that transgender women will no longer be permitted to play in women’s football teams from 1 June 2025.
The announcement, made on Thursday, 1 May, follows a recent unanimous ruling by the UK Supreme Court stating that trans women are not legally considered women under the law. Previously, the FA had allowed trans women to play in women’s teams if they met specific eligibility criteria. However, citing a shift in legal interpretation, the FA now says its policy must align with the ruling.
“This is a complex subject, and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary,” the FA said in a statement. “The Supreme Court’s ruling on 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.”
According to CNN, around 20 trans players currently competing in amateur leagues will be affected by the decision, which applies across all levels of the women’s game.
The FA said it recognises “this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify” and is contacting the affected players to explain the changes. In an effort to support them, the organisation is offering six free sessions of online talking therapy through Sporting Chance, described as “fully confidential”.
Additionally, trans players were advised to consider transitioning into coaching or refereeing roles. They were also told they might be able to take part in a “mixed football format” still in early development and limited to certain areas.
While the UK Supreme Court ruling redefined the legal term “woman” under the 2010 Equality Act as based on biological sex, it did not issue specific guidance regarding sports participation. Justice Patrick Hodge clarified that trans people are still legally protected from discrimination, harassment, and unfair treatment in their acquired gender.
LGBTQ+ advocacy group Stonewall criticised the FA’s swift response. A spokesperson told CNN that “these decisions were made too soon, before the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling has been worked through by lawyers and politicians or become law.”
“Trans people remain protected under the law and need to be treated with dignity and respect – and this announcement lacks any detail on how those obligations will be honoured,” the spokesperson added.
The FA’s move aligns it with other sporting bodies in the UK, including the Scottish Football Association, which has enacted similar bans in recent months.
