The FA stopped me playing football because I'm trans

Metro

01-05-2025

This morning, I received an email from the Football Association (FA) – along with approximately 19 other trans women football players – that means I can no longer play the game I love.
Instead, they offered me six free sessions of online talking therapy, then suggested: 'You might be willing to consider moving your enjoyment of affiliated football into coaching or being a match official.'
It came about after the organisation announced it was banning transgender women from playing women's football in England, starting from June.
Obviously, the first feelings that came was pain, sadness, and finally anger – fuelling a desire for change.
The FA's ruling is wrong, hypocritical, and a return to the dark ages when women's football was mistreated or even banned.
I came out as trans six years ago at 24.
Coming from a Catholic family in France, it was quite hard at first, but my partner at the time and my siblings supported me greatly. Eventually, my parents came around too and are now fully supportive.
I started hormones a little later and, today, I feel like my body is in a good place and I like the person I see in the mirror.
With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.
Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications!
Dear Fae,
We are writing to you today because we have made the decision to change our policy regarding your participation in women's football.
We have considered the Supreme Court's ruling and taken legal counsel, the outcome of this for the FA means that transgender women can no longer play in the women's game in England from the 1st June 2025.
This is not a decision that we have taken lightly, and we know that this news will be deeply disappointing. In the immediate aftermath of this news to help support you through this, we have partnered with Sporting Chance to provide you with free, fully confidential, online talking therapy with specially selected therapists, should you wish to do so. Up to six sessions can be provided to you and to do this you simply need to contact Sporting Chance by email at [e-mail]
It is our hope that you will still want to stay involved in the game. Our mixed football format is currently being developed, whilst it is in this phase there are several pilots taking place and depending on where you live, we may be able to help you get involved with these. We are hopeful that from the season after next this format will be more readily available across England. Or you might be willing to consider moving your enjoyment of affiliated football into coaching or being a match official, we welcome that and there are routes to do this. If you are interested in such opportunities, please speak to your local County FA who can discuss these opportunities with you.
We do understand that this will be difficult for anyone who simply wants to play the game they love, so if you would like to speak to us about this, and explore further support, then please do not hesitate getting in touch by replying to this email.
The FA
Around 11, I fell in love with football during the 2006 Champions League Final, where Arsenal took on Barcelona in Paris. A couple of months later, I subsequently watched France heartbreakingly lose the World Cup final to Italy.
My love of the game translated to the pitch and I started playing then too.
I moved to the US and found myself playing there throughout my teens and early 20s, mostly for fun.
But when I started transitioning, I stopped altogether. I became really uncomfortable playing with men and I was really scared of joining a women's team for fear of rejection.
I just wanted to play a game I loved, for fun with my peers, but I was hesitant.
Eventually, after moving to the UK in 2019, I discovered Clapton Community FC in London in a mixed community tournament who told me about Open Access, an amazing inclusive space for women and non-binary people who are beginners or returning to football.
I jumped at the opportunity.
It felt so good to play again in a judgement-free and supportive environment. Eventually, I joined the Clapton CFC women's team and played with their development team, until my hormone levels were in the right place for first team football.
I then moved to Hackney Women's in the same grassroots division, the London and South East Division One North where I truly thrived as a player.
Throughout it all, no matter what team I've played with, or who I play against, my teammates and my opponents have always been extremely supportive of me as a trans woman. I have never had a remark or issues with anyone on the pitch.
Then I got the email this morning that will change my life.
The FA told me that transgender women can 'no longer play in the women's game', offering to provide 'free, fully confidential, online talking therapy with specially selected therapists'. The most dreadful part was suggesting I consider becoming a coach or a match official while a 'mixed football format is currently being developed'.
It's clear to me that the FA didn't speak to women football players. It also didn't ask trans women – or the cis women that play with them – how they felt, but instead used a single court decision to cave pressure from politicians who use my identity as a political football.
It could and should have shown moral leadership instead.
As far as I know, there are only 20 FA-affiliated trans women players in England out of 2.5million women players. It is a ridiculous number.
I say to everyone who thinks we are a threat or taking up undue space: how come there are only 20 of us, and how come we don't all play for the top teams in the Women's Super League? It's because – like any other player – trans women come in all shapes and sizes, strengths, and abilities.
For me, this decision is yet another example of how society refuses to see us as the women we are.
The time has come for people to actually open their eyes and see that there are trans women in all parts of society and that we pose a threat to no one. We want to live our lives, to be accepted for who we are, and not who you think we should be. More Trending
I hope that the FA will be able to recognise that this decision was taken in the heat of the moment and change their minds.
At the end of the day, banning trans women is something I don't see from anyone who is actually playing the sport. It is deeply harmful to every woman who plays football and does nothing for the benefit of the game we all love.
In 1921, the FA banned women's football for 50 years, so we know that 'For All' doesn't always mean it – let's not go back to that dark time.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [e-mail].
Share your views in the comments below.
MORE: Gossip about Sydney Sweeney and her co-stars is sexist
MORE: Best things to do in London this long weekend including Cinco de Mayo celebrations
MORE: America's place in the world has crumbled with shocking speed under Trump