The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has announced a ban on transgender women from participating in women’s football, updating its guidelines to restrict participation to only biological women. This change will come into effect next season, impacting all competitive football matches from the under-13s level upward.
Previously, transgender women were allowed to compete in women’s football in Scotland, with eligibility determined on a case-by-case basis. The decision took into account factors such as levels of testosterone. However, following a board meeting held by the SFA last Thursday, the association decided to revise its policy. Legal and governance compliance steps are now being worked through to ensure a smooth transition to the updated guidelines.
Interestingly, the ban will not affect any active transgender women players in Scotland, as the SFA has confirmed that no transgender women are currently registered in the women’s football leagues. Despite this, the SFA is focusing on developing new plans to encourage greater LGBTQ+ participation in the sport, aiming to foster inclusion in other ways.
The move by the SFA comes just a week after a landmark ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which determined that the term “woman” in the Equality Act refers specifically to biological women. This ruling arose in response to a challenge by the Scottish government, which had previously extended the legal definition of “woman” to include transgender women. The decision is expected to have significant ramifications for policies surrounding gender inclusion in a variety of sectors, including sports.
The Scottish First Minister, John Swinney, has called on sporting bodies to wait for further guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) before revisiting their policies regarding the inclusion of transgender athletes. The SFA’s swift decision to impose a ban, just days after the ruling, has raised concerns among LGBTQ+ advocates, with many questioning the fairness of such a move. The ruling and the SFA’s policy shift come at a time of growing tension surrounding the rights of transgender individuals in sport, especially in contact sports like football, where physical differences are more pronounced.
In contrast to the SFA’s approach, the English Football Association (FA) has taken a more lenient stance. Earlier this month, before the Supreme Court’s ruling, the FA confirmed that it would continue to allow transgender women to participate in women’s football, provided they have maintained low testosterone levels for at least 12 months. The FA’s policy, which currently affects around 20 registered transgender players, allows for continued participation but also reserves the right to consult an eligibility committee if concerns arise about a player’s inclusion.
The contrasting decisions between the SFA and FA highlight the ongoing debate surrounding transgender inclusion in sports. While the SFA’s move may be seen as a response to the legal changes in the UK, the FA’s position reflects a commitment to balancing inclusion with competitive fairness, taking into account the physiological impacts of testosterone on athletic performance. The policies of both organizations are likely to remain under scrutiny as the conversation about the inclusion of transgender athletes in sport continues to evolve.
As the SFA moves forward with its ban, many are watching closely to see how other national and international sporting bodies will navigate the increasingly complex issue of transgender inclusion in competitive sports. The coming months may see further legal challenges or calls for policy revisions as the issue gains greater attention worldwide.
