The Football Association (FA) has announced a major policy change that will bar transgender women from participating in women’s football in England, following a landmark Supreme Court ruling on April 16.
The new policy is set to take effect from June 1, 2025.
In a statement released on Thursday, the FA said it had always operated within “the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA,” and that the previous policy—allowing transgender women to play in the women’s game—was rooted in expert legal guidance and the principle of making football accessible.
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“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible,” the FA said.
“Our current policy, which allows transgender women to participate in the women’s game, was based on this principle and supported by expert legal advice.”
However, the recent ruling by the UK’s highest court has prompted the governing body to reassess its stance.
“This is a complex subject,” the FA acknowledged, “and our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football then we would review it and change it if necessary.” That moment, the FA says, has now arrived.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling on the 16 April means that we will be changing our policy. 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.”
While the FA emphasized the importance of fairness and compliance with legal frameworks, it also expressed empathy for those affected by the decision.
“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 statement read. “We are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”
The FA did not provide specifics on alternative pathways for transgender athletes but indicated a commitment to helping affected players remain connected to football in other roles.
The policy change is expected to reignite national debate around gender identity and inclusion in sports, with human rights advocates, legal experts, and grassroots organisations likely to weigh in ahead of its implementation.
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