England, Scotland ban transgender women from women’s football

London: Transgender women will no longer be permitted to play in women's football from 1 June 2025, England's governing Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday.

The FA stated it had revised its policy following last month's UK Supreme Court ruling concerning the Equality Act.

Scottish FA to implement similar measures

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) also announced on Thursday that it would enforce a similar ban from the beginning of its 2025/26 season.

These new rulings will apply across all levels of women's football, both amateur and professional, in England and Scotland.

Previous policy allowed participation with conditions

The English FA's transgender inclusion policy had been updated shortly before the Supreme Court’s decision. Under the previous guidelines, transgender women were allowed to participate in women's football, provided they reduced their testosterone levels.

These regulations granted the FA discretion to allow a transgender woman to play, taking into account issues of safety and fairness.

New ban to take effect from next season

However, the FA has now amended its policy and barred transgender women from participating in the women’s game.

In a statement, the FA said: "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."

SFA clarifies new rules for Scotland

In a separate announcement, the SFA stated:

"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."

"Under the Scottish FA player journey, players move to competitive football at Under-13 level."

(AFP inputs)