Inclusion Reversed as Trans Women Banned from English Football and Cricket

England’s Football Association (FA) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have announced bans on transgender women playing in women’s football and cricket, in a major reversal of their previously inclusive policies.

The moves are another blow to the transgender community which is under attack around the globe.

In a statement released on Thursday, the FA confirmed it would no longer allow transgender women to participate in women’s football in England, effective from 1 June 2025.

The decision follows a controversial UK Supreme Court ruling on 16 April that excluded transgender women from the legal definition of “woman” under the country’s Equality Act.

“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,” the FA explained.

They added: “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. 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 new policy will apply not only to the professional level but to all tiers of women’s football across England.

Scotland’s FA announced a similar policy shift, stating that from the start of the 2025/26 season, “only biological females will be permitted to play in competitive girls’ and women’s football which is governed by the Scottish FA.”

Decision is “Disappointing and Hasty”

The decision has sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ rights groups, with Stonewall describing the ban as “incredibly disappointing”—especially given the FA’s previous involvement in the inclusive Rainbow Laces campaign.

Stonewall criticised the timing of the move, arguing that the Supreme Court ruling’s legal ramifications are still being interpreted and have not yet become binding law.

“This is widely acknowledged to be an incredibly complicated ruling, and its wide-ranging impact is still being worked through by the legal fraternity,” said a Stonewall spokesperson.

“Trans women, young and old, who love football will be deeply distressed that they are no longer able to take part in games at any level. Trans people remain protected under the law and need to be treated with dignity and respect—and this announcement lacks any detail on how those obligations will be honoured.”

They added: “Hasty decisions, without a full understanding of the practical implications and before any changes to guidance have gone through the necessary consultation and parliamentary process, aren’t the answer.”

ECB Introduces Immediate Trans Cricket Ban

Shortly after the FA announcement, the ECB issued its own revised eligibility guidelines on Friday.

With immediate effect, “only those [women] whose biological sex is female will be eligible to play in women’s cricket and girls’ cricket matches.” However, it noted that transgender women and girls will still be allowed to participate in open and mixed cricket formats.

The ECB said it had taken the step based on legal advice regarding the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, adding: “We believe the changes announced today are necessary.”

A Backwards Step for Inclusion

These sweeping policy changes have sent shockwaves through the UK’s sporting and LGBTQ+ communities, with critics arguing that they roll back years of progress towards inclusion and acceptance.

These decisions are likely to influence sporting bodies in other countries, as the UK follows America’s lead in further excluding and marginalising transgender people from public and social life.