The Football Association has announced that transgender women will no longer be allowed to participate in women’s football in England. This decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that determined the term “woman” in the Equality Act refers exclusively to biological women, prompting major sporting bodies to revise their inclusion policies accordingly.
England Netball also confirmed it would implement a similar ban, and the England and Wales Cricket Board is expected to follow suit in an upcoming board meeting. These policy changes mark a significant shift in approach, as several sports organizations reassess how legal interpretations impact their commitment to fairness, safety, and inclusivity.
Until recently, the FA allowed transgender women who had undergone male puberty to compete in women’s football, provided they maintained testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L for at least 12 months. That stance has now changed following legal advice from senior counsel indicating the necessity to align policies with the new legal precedent.
In a statement, the FA acknowledged the sensitive nature of the issue, reiterating that their position has always been subject to review in the event of legal, scientific, or operational changes. With the new court ruling in place, they confirmed that transgender women will be excluded from the women’s category starting 1 June 2025.
The governing body emphasized empathy for those affected, particularly the estimated 20 transgender women currently playing in female teams. It pledged to reach out to each of them individually to explain the new rules and discuss alternative ways to remain involved in the sport.
This move brings women’s football into alignment with sports such as rugby union and hockey, which already restrict participation in female categories to those born female, largely due to concerns over fairness and safety in competitive environments. Advocates for the change argue that prioritizing biological sex ensures the integrity and competitiveness of women’s sport.
England Netball will enforce its new policy from 1 September, also restricting the female category to players born female. However, it introduced a “mixed netball” option to accommodate all gender identities. Under this model, individuals will be able to compete in teams regardless of their biological sex, aiming to maintain inclusion while protecting fairness in the women’s game.
The cricket board, which currently permits transgender women to compete at grassroots levels, is widely expected to adopt a similar policy by the end of the week, following a legal review.
These decisions have received praise from campaign groups advocating for clarity and fairness in sports. Supporters believe the changes are overdue and reflect a long-standing need to protect opportunities for women and girls in competitive environments. Critics, however, argue the moves are premature and risk excluding individuals who simply want to play the sport in accordance with their gender identity.
LGBT+ advocacy groups have expressed disappointment, warning that these bans may undermine ongoing efforts to make sport more inclusive. They argue that the implications of the court ruling are not yet fully realized and urge sporting organizations to engage more deeply with affected communities before finalizing policy shifts.
As sports bodies navigate the intersection of legal compliance, fairness, and inclusion, the debate around transgender participation in female categories is likely to remain a contentious issue in the months ahead.
