The Scottish Football Association has announced a ban on transgender women participating in women's football, effective next season, influenced by the UK Supreme Court's recent interpretation of the 2010 Equality Act, defining 'sex' as biological sex. This decision surpasses FIFA's ongoing review regarding gender eligibility. While no transgender women play professionally in the UK, there are about 20 participating at grassroots levels. The ruling has sparked legal actions from trans athletes against governing bodies like England Hockey, indicating rising tensions and ongoing debates surrounding trans rights in sports.
The updated policy goes beyond global governing body FIFA, which has been conducting a gender eligibility review for more than three years without any conclusion.
The Supreme Court's ruling declared that the legal definition of 'sex' in the 2010 Equality Act refers to 'biological sex', therefore excluding trans women.
Before the ruling, several trans athletes said that they planned to sue England Hockey over a competition ban for trans players.
Following the declaration, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that he is 'pleased' with the ruling, and equalities minister Bridget Phillipson told trans individuals to use toilets 'based on biological sex'.
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