FA now requires trans men to declare they are ‘Biologically Female’ before they can play

The Football Association (FA) has introduced a controversial update to its trans participation policy, requiring trans men who wish to play in male competitions to formally declare that they are “biologically female”.

The new rules, which came into effect in June 2025, follow an April ruling by the UK Supreme Court that legally defined “woman” based on biological sex. In response, the FA revised its eligibility criteria for transgender players. While trans women have been banned from female football in FA-affiliated competitions since 1 June, trans men are still allowed to play in men's matches.

To compete in the 2025–26 season, trans men must now complete a declaration form stating they are “a biological female whose gender identity is male or non-binary”. The form also requires players to acknowledge that “there are physiological and performance differences between adult biological females and adult biological males”, and that this may result in a “greater risk of injury” when playing against cisgender male players.

Additionally, players must demonstrate testosterone levels within the adult male range (7.7 to 29.4 nanomoles per litre), verified by a medical professional. The FA has stated that hormone treatment “will not fully alleviate” the physiological differences that contribute to increased safety risks.

An FA spokesperson said the policy was developed in consultation with legal experts and aims to balance inclusion with fairness and safety. The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting transgender players who meet the new criteria.

The update has sparked criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates, who argue that the language used in the declaration is stigmatising and undermines the identities of trans men. The FA has not disclosed how many players are affected by the change but has indicated that it will continue to review the policy in light of future legal or scientific developments.

Groups such as Stonewall UK and TransActual have expressed concern that the FA’s framing of trans participation as a “safety risk” perpetuates fear and misunderstanding. They argue that this narrative could lead to increased discrimination and exclusion of trans athletes from grassroots and professional sport.