Campaigners wanting the FA to ban transgender women from the women’s game protested before the England men’s match against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley in November.
It was sparked by the banning of a teenage girl over remarks she made to a transgender opponent in a grassroots match.
However the FA’s updated trans policy allows biological males to continue to participate in the women’s game as if they meet reduced testosterone levels and pass “match observation” to evaluate if they present a risk to the safety of other players and fair competition.
Transgender women players must provide proof that they have been below the testosterone limit for at least 12 months, as well as a medical record of hormone therapy and an annual review of treatment.
However, a new formal process – which will involve a match observation by an FA official – will give the body the ability to remove or refuse a player’s permission to play in the women’s game.
Earlier this month, the FA said its updated process will give the governing body “ultimate discretion” over eligibility and it will be managed on a “case-by-case basis”.
The FA says there are 20 transgender women registered to play amateur football in England among the millions who play at that level and there are none in the professional game across the Home Nations.
In December 2023, a group of 48 MPs signed a letter urging the Football Association to change its rules on transgender inclusion to “protect women and girls” in football.
That came after several teams reportedly withdrew from games against a recreational side in Yorkshire after a shot by a transgender player injured an opponent.
Sutton United women’s team postponed a fixture against Ebbsfleet United in September 2024 through “an abundance of caution”. It came after Sutton signed Blair Hamilton, a transgender goalkeeper.
The club made history in January 2024 by appointing Lucy Clark, the first openly transgender manager in British football.
In March, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the governing body was looking to “refine” its transgender policy but its current rules were “in the right place”.
