The National Association of Football of England announced Thursday that transgender women cannot play in their affiliated women’s football teams from the beginning of June. The announcement is a change in FA rules in response to a recent UK Supreme Court Failure On the definition of a “woman” under a British law of equalities.
“As the National Sports Government Body, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the Law and International Soccer Policy defined by UEFA and FIFA,” the FA said in a statement on Thursday.
The FA, only last month, had modified its rules to apply more strict criteria so that Trans women play in women’s football teams, but allowed the issue to play.
“This is a complex issue, and our position always has a leg that if there was a material change in the law, science or the operation of policy in base football, we would review it and change it if necessary,” said the FA. “The decision of the Supreme Court of April 16 means that we will change our policy. Transgender women can no longer play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented as of June 1, 2025.”
The FA directs football leagues throughout the country of different levels, many of which are non -professionals and celebrate weekend matches. The FA said in April that, among the millions of amateur players registered in the association, there were approximately 20 transgender players, Chordination to the CBS News BBC News partner.
“We understand that this will be difficult for people who simply because playing the game love in the genre by which they identify, and we are contacting the registered transgender women who currently play to explain the changes and how they can continue in the game.”