On Thursday, May 1, theFootball Association (FA) announced the ban on transgender women playing women’s soccer in England. The decision involves an issue that has been controversial throughout the sporting world.
The English FA protected itself with the Supreme Court’s decision, in which it ruled that the legal definition of a woman in the Equality Act in the UK must be based on biological sex.
Our current policy was based on this principle and supported by legal experts
“As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating in accordance with international football law and policy as defined by UEFA and FIFA. Our current policy, which allowed transgender women to participate in women’s football, was based on this principle and supported by legal experts,” the FA said in a statement.
Due to this definition, the English FA is considering adhering to what is stipulated by the Court. Therefore, from June 1, transgender women will not be able to play in women’s soccer in the professional leagues in England.
Our policy will change, transgender women will not be able to play women’s football in England from June 1
“This is a complex matter and our position has always been that if there is a change in legislation, science or in the way grassroots football operates, we would review and change it if necessary. The Supreme Court’s decision on April 16 means that our policy will change and that transgender women will not be able to play women’s football in England from June 1,” the FA announced.
According to data from the English Football Association, there are 20 transgender women registered in amateur soccer in England, while there are none in professional soccer.
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