Statement from the Fare network on the English FA and Scottish FA bans on trans women
The Fare network is disappointed at the decisions announced today by the English Football Association (FA) and the Scottish FA (SFA) to ban transgender women from participating in women’s football.
These decisions have been made in the shadow of growing hostility towards transgender and gender-questioning people and fly in the face of the inclusion approach that football has championed in the UK.
By adopting formal bans on trans participation the FA and SFA now stand isolated from progressive federations worldwide that are pioneering inclusive policies grounded in science, dialogue, and human rights.
They have become the first in Europe to implement a ban. In addition, we are not aware of any other associations within FIFA who have gone as far as banning trans participation.
As influential bodies in European football, their actions risk legitimizing discrimination, emboldening associations elsewhere to bring in restrictive measures and undermining global efforts to ensure football remains a sport for everyone, everywhere.
Latest News Articles

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Italy: A beautiful football culture that remains rotten with racism
The latest high-profile incident involving a walk-off by Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates reflects the failure to come to terms with a…

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.

BLOG: Rafael Villanueva on challenging homophobic football culture in Mexico
“Poll after poll of the population shows the disregard most Mexicans have towards the LGBTIQ+ community. Homophobia is normalised from abuse, to human rights violations, to murder.”

Italy: A beautiful football culture that remains rotten with racism
The latest high-profile incident involving a walk-off by Mike Maignan and his AC Milan team-mates reflects the failure to come to terms with a…

Policy and Research Intern – Human Rights and World Cup 2026
Time Commitment: 3–4 days per week Duration: 6-8 weeks Overview We are seeking a motivated and highly literate intern to support our work on issues…

Bologna hosts the radical joy of the Giochi Antiracist Games this June
The Bonori sports centre in Bologna will become the vibrant heart of something different when between June 20th and 22nd the Giochi Antirazzisti takes…

Another season of homophobia and ineffective responses in France
Why is homophobia such a persistent issue in French football? It’s a question on the minds of a growing number of people. Despite initiatives…

Five years after George Floyd
Five years ago this week George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis.