FA to Ban Transgender Women from Women’s Football After Landmark Court Ruling

Pitchside HQ – May 1, 2025

LONDON — Transgender women will be barred from playing in women’s football across England beginning June 1, 2025, the Football Association confirmed Thursday, following a landmark UK Supreme Court decision that has redefined the legal classification of gender in sport.

The FA’s policy shift comes two weeks after Britain’s highest court ruled that, under equality legislation, the term “woman” refers exclusively to individuals assigned female at birth. The decision has sparked widespread debate, drawing concern from transgender advocacy groups and support from government figures who claim it provides needed legal clarity.

In a formal statement, the FA acknowledged the gravity of the ruling and its implications.

“The Supreme Court’s ruling on April 16 means that we will be changing our policy,” the FA said.
“Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England, and this policy will be implemented from 1 June 2025.”

The previous policy, which had permitted transgender women to compete in the female category, was underpinned by legal advice and aligned with international guidelines set by UEFA and FIFA. However, the FA maintained it would always revisit the policy in the event of significant changes in law, science, or practical implementation.

“This is a complex subject,” the statement continued. “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 governing body also confirmed that it has begun directly contacting registered transgender women currently participating in the game to explain the changes and offer support for remaining involved in football through alternative roles or categories.

Policy Shift Ripples Through UK Sport

The Scottish Football Association has already followed suit, updating its policy to restrict competitive women’s football to biological females beginning with the 2025–26 season.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is expected to move in the same direction. While transgender women have been excluded from the top two tiers of elite women’s cricket since January, they have still been eligible for lower-tier and recreational participation. That, however, is likely to change as the ECB board convenes Friday to consider legal advice in light of the court’s decision.

The evolving legal framework is poised to reshape the way gender is defined across sports in the UK — a development that promises to remain at the center of both political and cultural discourse.