FA bosses MUST apologise for treatment of women forced to compete against biological men & punished if they complained

FA bosses were last night facing demands to apologise for the treatment of women and girls forced to compete against biological men — and punished if they complained.

Footie’s governing body yesterday announced biological men will be banned from playing women at all levels from June 1.

FA bosses are facing demands to apologise for the treatment of women and girls forced to compete against biological men Trans goalie Blair Hamilton, circled, joined a women’s team AlamyTrans Radio UK, made up solely of trans women, played against Dulwich Hamlet Women[/caption]

They finally acted following last month’s Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

The decision affects around 20 trans footballers registered at grassroots level.

Olympic swimming star Sharron Davies, who has led a ten-year fight to stop biological men taking part in women’s sport, told The Sun she was delighted, and disgusted, by the FA’s “too little, too late” move.

She said: “I’ve heard all kinds of heartbreaking stories — women saying they just can’t compete with men who’ve ruined the enjoyment of their sport.

‘Sense has prevailed’

“It’s crazy and I’m pleased to see sense has finally prevailed (in football) but I won’t rest until men are barred from all female sport.”

Sharron told of her fury that the FA has yet to apologise to an autistic girl, 17, banned six games for asking a “bearded” opponent: “Are you a man?”

She denied being transphobic and said she was concerned for her safety. Sharron added: “The FA owes this girl an apology and all the women forced to compete against men.

“The FA have misrepresented the Equality Act, which has not actually changed, and have been sanctioning legalised cheating for years in ­pursuit of a woke agenda.”

FA rules reviewed on April 1 had allowed the 20 or so trans players to carry on playing if their testosterone levels were below a set level for at least 12 months.

But chiefs sparked confusion by saying they could intervene if concerns were raised about safety and fairness.

Fiona McAnena, of campaign group Sex Matters, said of yesterday’s new ruling: “This is welcome but long overdue.

“The FA has had ample evidence of the harm to women and girls caused by its nonsensical policy of letting men who identify as women play in women’s teams.

“The requirement to lower their testosterone tells you that everyone knew they were not women.

“Thankfully, the UK Supreme Court has now confirmed this.

“Every other sporting body now needs to re-establish a genuine women’s category, and this shameful period in history will finally be brought to an end.”

Tory MP Sir John Hayes added: “This is a victory for common sense. Sporting competition needs to be fair and farce had replaced fairness.”

In a 2022 “world first”, Trans Radio UK, a team of solely trans women, played their first game against Dulwich Hamlet Women.

Last September Sutton United women’s team postponed their fixture against Ebbsfleet United after a row over the signing of trans goalie Blair Hamilton.

In November 2023 trans player Francesca Needham quit Rossington Main Ladies FC in South Yorkshire and claimed she suffered discrimination after opponents refused to play against her.

AlamyOlympic swimming star Sharron Davies, who has led a ten-year fight to stop biological men taking part in women’s sport[/caption]

Last night Natalie Washington, of Football v Transphobia, told how trans players have said they could give up the game from June 1.

Natalie said: “Most don’t feel they can play in the men’s game for reasons of safety and comfort.

“My experience is playing in the men’s game, ten to 15, years ago it wasn’t a safe place to be transgender or non-conforming in any way.

“That’s probably improved slightly but it’s still not a great place to be.”

‘Biology matters’

The FA said: “We understand this will be difficult for people who simply want to play the game they love in the gender by which they identify.

“We are contacting the registered transgender players to explain the changes and how they can continue to stay involved in the game.”

Asked about an apology to biologically female players, the FA said: “We’ve no further comment.”

Downing Street insisted “biology matters” when it comes to women’s sport and “everyone should be compliant with the law”.

Other sports could follow the FA’s lead. The English Cricket Board currently allows for self-identification at all levels. But chiefs could confirm a policy change today.

Newcastle fan Linzi Smith was accused of being transphobic LInzi Smith