Gary Lineker says trans people are “some of the most persecuted on the planet”

Gary Lineker has said trans people are “some of the most persecuted on the planet” in a recent interview, describing the noise created by anti-trans activists around trans inclusion in sports as “too nuanced” for social media discussion.

His remarks come amid ongoing debate following bans on trans women in women’s competitions by several sporting organisations including the Football Association, which announced a blanket ban on trans women playing in women’s football from next season.

During the interview, Lineker expressed sympathy for trans people: “They’re some of the most persecuted on the planet, trans people. You’ve got to be very careful not to have bigoted views on that.”

The former footballer, who scored 461 goals during his professional career, questioned whether trans inclusion in sports represents a genuine problem requiring intervention.

“I genuinely feel really badly for trans people. Imagine going through what they have to go through in life. Is there even any issue?

“It’s the same swimmer, the same weightlifter, the same boxer. They’re the only people I ever see.”

The Football Association has announced that trans women will be banned from playing women’s football in England from next season, despite announcing in April that trans women could continue to play on conditions they meet “stricter eligibility criteria”.

The FA said the move, which will apply to all levels of the game and will be implemented from 1 June, follows the Supreme Court anti-trans ruling that a “woman” is defined by biological sex.

In updating their policy last month, the FA said there were around 20 trans women registered in amateur women’s football teams in England. There are no transgender women playing professionally in England.

The FA said in a statement: “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, and we are contacting the registered transgender women currently playing to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”