"Football Association's decision follows U.K. Supreme Court ruling on 'woman' definition
Transgender women will no longer be permitted to compete on women's soccer teams in England after a recent ruling from the U.K. Supreme Court, the governing body announced Thursday.
The Football Association (FA) indicated it would amend its previous regulations that had allowed transgender individuals to participate in women's soccer, provided they had lowered their testosterone levels. A similar ruling was made by the Scottish Football Association last week.
The U.K.'s top court defined a woman for anti-discrimination purposes as someone assigned female at birth two weeks ago. The head of the Equality and Human Rights Commission commented that transgender women would now be barred from women's facilities, hospital wards, and sports teams. While some feminist organizations welcomed the ruling, it faced backlash from trans rights advocates who argued it would negatively impact many aspects of daily life.
The FA stated its previous policy aimed to ensure the sport was inclusive for as many individuals as possible but would adapt its rules in response to changes in law, science, or grassroots football dynamics.
"We recognize this will be challenging for those who just want to play the sport they cherish in their identified gender, and we will reach out to the registered transgender women currently participating to explain the changes and how they can remain engaged in the sport," the FA shared in a statement.
The number of players affected by this new policy, effective June 1, remains unclear."
