Statement: Scottish FA Transgender Eligibility Policy
29th April 2025
Thursday 1st May 2025
The news that was reported earlier this week has now been formally confirmed by the Scottish FA in this press release.
Tuesday 29th April 2025
An ugly decision for our beautiful game: it has been announced in the media that the Scottish FA plans to ban trans women from playing in Scottish football, and that this will be implemented from the start of next season. At the time of writing, the SFA themselves have made no statement.
We condemn this decision to change policy and urge the SFA to reconsider. The decision comes in the wake of the recent Supreme Court ruling, which itself clarified that the Equality Act 2010 has remained unchanged. There is currently no legal requirement for the SFA to implement such a policy, and there is currently no new guidance from the national Sports Councils or new sports guidance from the EHRC.
With the BBC reporting that there are no trans players registered to play in SFA regulated football at this time, the SFA did not need to make this decision in such a rushed and reactionary manner. The timing of this decision is more indicative of the pressure they’ve had from lobby groups and media on the issue.
This decision was made in an SFA Board meeting on Thursday, and it has been taken without any communication with their own Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board, which LEAP Sports sits on. It also appears to have been taken without any consultation or discussion with stakeholders who might be affected by this policy. The SFA has a responsibility to show leadership in equality within their governance and decision making. This responsibility is embodied in their own Equality Vision. The disregard shown for stakeholders across football on this issue entirely undermines this vision.
Any changes to SFA policy will not apply outside of the jurisdiction of SFA regulated leagues. The trans-inclusionary grassroots teams, tournaments and leagues that we know and love will continue to be a celebration of what football should be.
As Scotland’s LGBTIQ+ sports charity, we will continue to advocate for the rights of trans people to participate in football, and we call on football stakeholders and allies to join us in taking the following actions:
- Write to the SFA edi@scottishfa.co.uk opposing this policy decision. You can find an easy letter template here.
- Write to the SWF, SWPL, SPFL, SYFA and other affiliated bodies demanding them not to adopt the SFA’s policy.
- Make a public statement on your social media condemning this decision.
