English FA Bans Transgender Women from Women’s Football Following Landmark Supreme Court Ruling

The English Football Association (FA) has officially banned transgender women from participating in women’s football across all levels, following a recent UK Supreme Court ruling that legally defines “woman” based on biological sex.

The ban, which will come into effect from June 1, 2025, marks a significant policy shift and aligns the FA with similar moves by other sports governing bodies, such as those overseeing cricket and netball in the UK. The Scottish FA has also adopted a comparable stance, limiting female categories to individuals assigned female at birth from under-13 levels upward.

Until now, the FA had permitted transgender women to participate in female football competitions if they met specific eligibility criteria, including controlled testosterone levels. However, the Supreme Court’s April 16 ruling, which upheld that protections and definitions under the Equality Act apply strictly to biological sex, has prompted the FA to revise its policy.

In a statement issued on May 1, the FA acknowledged the sensitivity of the decision, saying:

“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. We are actively reaching out to affected players to offer support and explore alternative ways for them to remain involved in football.”

The new policy impacts both grassroots and elite levels of the game and mirrors international standards set by UEFA and FIFA, which increasingly prioritize “fairness and safety” in female sports categories.

The policy change has sparked backlash from transgender rights organizations and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. Stonewall, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, condemned the decision as “hasty and disappointing,” arguing that it could have a damaging impact on transgender athletes’ mental health and wellbeing.

Natalie Washington, a transgender footballer and inclusion advocate, echoed similar concerns. She noted that hormone therapy significantly alters a trans woman’s physical capabilities, and forcing them to play in men’s categories could pose both mental and physical health risks.

“Many of us simply cannot return to men’s football—it’s unsafe and psychologically distressing,” she said.

Supporters of the FA’s move, including advocacy group Sex Matters and Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, praised the decision as a necessary measure to protect fairness and safety in women’s sports.

“This is a win for biological women. It ensures that the integrity of women’s football remains intact,” Sir Hayes said.

The decision comes amid growing debate globally over how sports organizations should address gender identity while ensuring equitable competition. England Netball and the England and Wales Cricket Board have also enacted policies barring trans women from participating in female-only competitions, citing similar fairness concerns.

As the June deadline approaches, the FA says it remains committed to fostering inclusivity in football while also respecting legal and scientific developments. Discussions are ongoing to develop inclusive playing opportunities outside the binary gender categories, such as mixed or open leagues.

This policy shift signals a new era in English football governance, one that places biological sex at the center of eligibility decisions, and reflects a broader legal and cultural shift in how gender and sport intersect in the UK.