English FA New Rules Bar Trans Women from Women’s Football

England’s Football Association (FA) has announced on Thursday that Transgender women will be barred from participating in women’s football starting June 1, 2025.

This decision follows a UK Supreme Court ruling related to the Equality Act.

The FA updated its policy, reversing a previous stance that allowed trans women to play in women’s football if they reduced their testosterone levels. The new rules give no exceptions, banning trans women from all women’s football at amateur and professional levels.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) has also decided to implement a similar ban starting from the 2025/26 season.

According to the SFA, “As a gender-affected sport, the Scottish FA board has determined that from the start of season 2025/26 only biological females will be permitted to play in competitive girls’ and women’s football which is governed by the Scottish FA.”

The FA expressed understanding for those affected, stating, “We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”

The SFA’s policy specifies that “Under the Scottish FA player journey, players move to competitive football at Under-13 level,” emphasizing the scope of the new regulations.