In brief
The Football Association has declared that, effective June 1, transgender women will no longer be allowed to compete in women’s soccer leagues in England, following a recent Supreme Court decision affirming the definition of women based on biological sex.
Transgender women will officially be barred from participating in women's soccer in England starting June 1, as confirmed by the Football Association (F.A.) This change comes in response to a ruling by the British Supreme Court last month, which stated that equality laws in Britain are grounded in "biological sex," thus excluding trans women from the legal definition of women. In its announcement, the F.A. stated that the Supreme Court’s decision necessitated changes to their policy, clarifying that transgender women will not be able to compete in women’s football, which encompasses grassroots leagues as well as professional teams.“This will undoubtedly be challenging for individuals who wish to play in the gender they identify with," the F.A. commented, noting that they will reach out to registered transgender players to explain the new regulations and highlight ways to remain active in the sport.Other governing bodies, including the Scottish Football Association, are also revising their policies in light of the ruling. Starting in the 2025-26 season, it has been announced that only biological females will be allowed to participate in competitive girls' and women’s soccer in Scotland.
