FA and ECB bars trans women from women’s football and cricket

Trans women will no longer be allowed to participate in women’s football or women's cricket in England, as announced by both the FA (Football Association) and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board).

On April 11, the FA revised its rules, imposing stricter eligibility criteria for trans women in women’s football at all levels. However, after the UK Supreme Court ruled on April 15 that a woman’s legal definition is based on biological sex, the FA discarded that policy, allowing only those born biologically female to play, according to ‘BBC’.

“This is a complex subject, 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,” stated the FA.

The FA is providing free therapy through Sporting Chance, a charity supporting mental health for sportspeople, to those players barred from competing. The FA expressed understanding of the difficulties faced by individuals who identify as a different gender and is contacting registered transgender women currently playing to inform them of the changes and their options for continuing involvement in football.

On Thursday, the FA reported less than 30 registered trans female amateur players and acknowledged that none are present in the professional game across the Home Nations. Meanwhile, the Scottish FA also declared a ban on trans women in women’s football in Scotland.

The ECB stated "“With immediate effect, only those whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches. Transgender women and girls can continue playing in open and mixed cricket.”

Additionally, England Netball revised its guidelines to exclude trans women from the female category. The Football Association of Wales is awaiting more guidance for the sports sector, while the Irish Football Association is reviewing the judgment and interim guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission, committed to fulfilling obligations under the Equality Act 2010 as clarified by the ruling.

Under rules updated on April 11, the FA had previously allowed trans women to play women’s football, contingent upon specific criteria like maintaining testosterone levels below set levels for 12 months, providing hormone therapy records, and undergoing an annual review of treatment. The procedure was to include a “match observation” by an FA official for case-by-case discretion.

BBC Sport has accessed a letter from the FA addressing transgender players facing an immediate ban. The letter offers “free, fully confidential online talking therapy” and mentions future plans for mixed-gender football from the 2026-27 season. Suggestions are made for players to shift enjoyment to coaching or officiating in affiliated football.

Fiona McAnena from Sex Matters claimed the ruling was “overdue,” characterising the previous policy as “nonsensical.” Sharron Davies, a former Olympic swimmer, expressed on X that the ruling was “great news for the safety and fairness of all our girls and women in football,” emphasising that similar measures should be adopted across all sports.

The Women's Rights Network welcomed the FA’s decision, saying it should not have been such an arduous battle. When questioned about Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s view on banning transgender women from women's sports, his spokesman reiterated the government’s stance that biology matters in women’s sports, and compliance with the law is necessary. Sporting bodies were encouraged to set their own rules.

Natalie Washington, leading Football vs Transphobia, predicted a withdrawal from football by trans women. “The people I know that are talking about this are saying, 'Well, that's it for football for me’,” she stated, noting concerns over safety and comfort in the men’s game.

Pride Sports reported no “football-specific peer-reviewed research or evidence” proving existing policies posed a safety risk. Lord David Triesman, former FA chairman, suggested consequences for top FA officials responsible for the previous approval of trans women in women’s football, commending the FA for acknowledging the Supreme Court’s wisdom.

Kick it Out, an anti-discrimination group, urged solidarity with the trans community, recognising the Supreme Court ruling and the FA’s policy change as impactful for communities at large. They highlighted the reality and rise of transphobic abuse.

Following the Supreme Court ruling, the FA became the first major sporting body to modify trans eligibility criteria. The Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) had previously banned trans women from its female category. Other bodies like the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) are reassessing their policies.

Sports such as athletics, cycling, and aquatics have imposed outright bans on transgender women in women’s events. In 2022, British Triathlon introduced an open category for trans athletes, being the first British sporting body to do so.

Recently, the ECB banned transgender women from elite domestic cricket, disallowing those who experienced male puberty from the top two tiers while maintaining eligibility for third-tier and below. However, the ECB is likely to align with the FA’s ruling by banning trans women from all levels of the women’s game.

England Netball’s guidelines, effective from September 1, outline three distinct participation categories: female, male, and mixed. The female category will be limited to players born female regardless of gender identity, while mixed netball will serve as an inclusive category based on identified gender.