Trans footballers BANNED from playing in Scottish women's games from next season
MAJOR CALL Trans footballers BANNED from playing in Scottish women's games from next season
TRANS players are to be banned from competing in Scottish women's footy from next season.
Only those born biologically female will be allowed to take part in competitive matches following a rule change by the SFA.
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The ban will apply to all matches that are covered under the rules of the SFA.
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Scottish Tory MSP Tess White praised the 'common sense' approach being taken.
Credit: Alamy
It will apply to matches that are covered under the governing body's rules - from the top flight and national teams, to grassroots level.
The change comes in the wake of the landmark Supreme Court ruling earlier this month and brings football into line with other sports such as rugby which brought in a similar ban in 2023.
Trina Budge, from feminist campaign group For Women Scotland who brought the court case, said: 'We're delighted by this decision by the Scottish FA.
'Men should never have been allowed to play in women's teams and we know of numerous women and girls who have dropped out because of the unfairness of it and the increased risk of suffering an injury.
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'Women are worthy of competing in their own sports, free from males, and we are really pleased to see a return to common sense.'
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at human rights charity Sex Matters added: "Anyone who plays football knows it's madness to think men can be allowed to play in women's teams without causing massive unfairness and increased injury risk.
"Every man in a women's team creates problems for all the women around him. It makes a mockery of the women's game.
"The Scottish FA has done the right thing, fixing its rules before anyone gets hurt."
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Earlier this month, a panel of five judges on the UK's most senior court ruled that 'woman' under the Equality Act refers to biological sex.
It followed a three-year battle from feminist campaigners who argued a woman should be defined as only those born female and not trans women.
A wide range of public bodies are now expected to put in place new guidance on single-sex spaces to ensure that they are complying with the law.
Scottish Tory equalities spokeswoman Tess White said: 'While this common sense decision is welcome news, women and girls have been calling for safe and fair sport for years.
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'They should never have been put in the position of competing against biological males and jeopardising their safety.
'Other sporting bodies must now follow the Scottish FA's lead and urgently act to protect the women's category.'
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