Football Association Bans Men From Women’s Football

Earlier this month, the Supreme Court ruled that the legal terms ‘woman’ and ’sex' in British law refer exclusively to biological sex.

Gabby George of Manchester United in action during The Adobe Women's FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Joie Stadium in Manchester, England, on April 13, 2025. Jan Kruger/Getty Images

The Football Association (FA) has announced it will prohibit men who identify as women from playing in women’s football in England from next season, following a landmark ruling by the UK’s Supreme Court.

The decision, published on Thursday, marks a shift in FA policy and will take effect from June 1.

It comes after the Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that the legal terms “woman” and “sex” in British law refer to biological sex only, a judgment that has major implications for single-sex spaces and competitions.

In a statement, the FA said: “As the governing body of the national sport, our role is to make football accessible to as many people as possible, operating within the law and international football policy defined by UEFA and FIFA.

“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 FA acknowledged that it had long maintained its transgender policy would be reviewed in the event of “a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football.”

Scottish FA

The FA is not alone in responding to the legal clarification. On the same day, the Scottish FA confirmed that it too will revise its gender participation policy in line with the court’s judgment.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Scottish FA said, “As a gender-affected sport, the Scottish FA board has determined that from the start of season 2025/26, only biological females will be permitted to play in competitive girls’ and women’s football governed by the Scottish FA.”

Players in Scotland typically move into competitive football at Under-13 level under the national Player Journey.

The Scottish FA noted that it would provide guidance on implementing the new policy and consult stakeholders to ensure a consistent approach.

It also cited updated guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, affirming that under the Equality Act, a “woman” is defined as a biological female.

Supreme Court Ruling

The Supreme Court ruling, which clarified that the protected characteristic of sex under the 2010 Equality Act applies strictly to biological sex, compelled the FA to change course.

Men who identify as women, including those with gender recognition certificates (GRCs), may be lawfully excluded from women-only sports if it is deemed proportionate for reasons such as fairness or safety.

“Transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football in England,” the FA confirmed.

“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, and 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 statement added.

Responding to the FA’s decision on Thursday, campaign group Fair Play For Women said it was “fantastic news.”

Previous Guidelines

The move signals the end of a policy that had allowed men to compete in women’s football under strict eligibility criteria, including evidence of hormone therapy to reduce testosterone levels and regular medical assessments.

The FA’s previous guidelines also included match observation and annual reviews to ensure fair competition and safety.

Keira Walsh and Rachel Daly of England celebrate during the penalty shoot out during the Women´s Finalissima 2023 match between England and Brazil at Wembley Stadium in London on April 6, 2023. Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Under the previous framework, male players were required to demonstrate that their blood serum testosterone levels were below 5.0 nmol/L for at least 12 months before being considered eligible to play in women’s matches.

The Supreme Court judgment was hailed by women’s rights groups and challenged the interpretation of sex and gender in public policy.

The ruling stemmed from a legal challenge brought by campaign group For Women Scotland over female representation on public boards.

The court concluded that allowing individuals born male but holding GRCs to be treated as women for the purposes of sex-based rights would undermine the Equality Act’s legal clarity and protections for biological women.

LGBT advocacy organisations, including Stonewall, expressed alarm at the ruling’s implications, which it described as “incredibly worrying” for the trans community and its supporters.

The FA has said it will work to ensure those affected can still participate in football in other ways, though men will no longer be eligible to compete in the women’s game from next season.

Shift in UK Sport

In 2023, Swim England introduced an “open” category for athletes assigned male at birth, including trans and non-binary competitors, across all its disciplines, such as swimming, artistic swimming, diving, and water polo.

The category applies to all licensed events that feed into official rankings or talent pathways, including those run by Swim England’s regions, counties, clubs, and affiliated groups.

As sport governing bodies across the UK assess their own policies in light of the Supreme Court’s decision, the FA’s move could set a precedent for other organisations.

Rachel Roberts contributed to this report.