The Football Association (FA) has recently updated its policy regarding the participation of transgender men in male football. This change comes in response to the UK Supreme Court's ruling on April 16, 2025, which defined the legal basis of a woman as biological sex. The updated policy requires transgender men to acknowledge that they are 'biological females' and accept the increased risk of injury when playing against 'biological males'.

Key Requirements

• Player Declaration: Transgender men must complete a form stating, 'I am a biological female whose gender identity is male or non-binary who would like to compete in open age matches and competitions that are reserved for men.'
• Injury Risk Acknowledgment: Players must sign that they understand the physiological differences and increased safety risks involved.
• Testosterone Levels: Players must maintain testosterone levels within the normal adult male range of 7.7 to 29.4 nanomoles per liter of blood.

Legal and Safety Considerations

The FA emphasized that the policy changes are not ideological but necessary to comply with the Supreme Court ruling. The new guidelines were developed in collaboration with legal counsel to ensure they align with current legal standards.

Player Reactions

Some transgender players have expressed dissatisfaction with the new requirements. One amateur player stated, 'I am not a biological female, I am a man,' and criticized the FA's language as potentially exclusionary.

Future Plans

The FA is also working towards establishing mixed-gender leagues by the 2026-27 season and encourages those unable to play to remain involved in football through coaching and refereeing.

Conclusion

The FA remains committed to supporting transgender players who meet the new policy requirements, ensuring they can continue to participate in football while addressing safety and legal concerns.