Starting from June 1, transgender women will no longer be allowed to participate in women’s soccer in England, as announced by the English Football Association (FA) on Thursday. In a statement, the FA acknowledged the emotional impact of this decision, 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.” The FA also mentioned that they are directly reaching out to the registered transgender women currently playing, to inform them about the upcoming changes and offer guidance on how they can remain involved in the sport in other capacities.
According to a clarification given by the FA to CNN Sports, the restriction will apply across all tiers of women’s football in England — from the highest professional leagues to the grassroots and amateur levels. It is understood by CNN that approximately 20 transgender women, all of whom are participating in amateur competitions, will be affected by this policy. The FA’s decision follows a recent UK Supreme Court ruling which determined that the legal definition of the term “woman” does not include transgender women. That landmark decision is expected to have broader implications on trans women's access to public spaces such as bathrooms, hospital wards, sports clubs, and more.
