Men To Be Banned From Women’s Football in the U.K.

FA Bans Men from Women’s Football Following Supreme Court Ruling

By Marsh (Edi) Baptise

London -Effective June 1, 2025, the Football Association (FA) will prohibit men from participating in women’s football at all levels across England. This decision comes in direct response to an April 16, 2025, ruling by the UK Supreme Court, which clarified that the legal definition of “woman” under the Equality Act applies solely to individuals assigned female at birth.

The landmark ruling has significantly reshaped how sex and eligibility are interpreted in sports and other sex-segregated categories. In its judgment, the Court stated that gender identity does not alter legal sex for the purpose of single-sex spaces and competitions, including sport.

In a statement, the FA said it is adjusting its policies to comply with the updated legal framework and reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining fairness and safety in women’s football. The new rule marks a significant policy reversal from previous guidelines, which had allowed transgender-identified males to play in the women’s game if certain hormone requirements were met.

“This has been a complex and emotionally charged issue,” the FA said. “But our priority remains upholding the integrity and competitive balance of female football.”

Many within women’s football and sporting fairness circles have welcomed the move. Athletes and campaigners who have long voiced concerns about the physical advantages held by male-born players are viewing the decision as a victory for sex-based rights in sport.

Similar steps have already been taken by the Scottish Football Association, which announced it will also bar trans identified men from participating in female categories. The Scottish governing body cited the need to align with both scientific evidence and evolving legal standards.

As the FA prepares for implementation in June, it has indicated that it will offer support to affected individuals and is exploring alternative pathways for male players to remain engaged with the game outside the female category.

The ruling and subsequent FA decision are expected to influence similar policies internationally, as sports organizations reevaluate how they define eligibility in an era of growing legal and cultural scrutiny.