An 18-year-old women’s soccer player in England has been suspended for six games after asking referees if transgender opponents on an opposing team were men. This is the second incident of a teenage female player being banned for inquiring about the birth sex of opposing players. The player, who has learning difficulties including ADHD, made the comment to referees during a game in September. In addition to her suspension, she was also forced to undergo an online education course and her club was dealt seven disciplinary points.
The incident is the latest in a series of controversies surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. The Football Association (FA) in England allows players who were biologically male but identify as female to play in the women’s game, as long as they are 16 or older. The FA’s policy is in accordance with the country’s Equality Act of 2010, which states that gender reassignment is one of nine protected characteristics.
The issue of trans inclusion in women’s sports has become a global issue in recent years, with many women’s rights groups expressing concerns about the impact on biological female athletes. A report by the UN’s Rapporteur on Violence Against Women found that nearly 900 biological females have fallen short of the podium because they were beaten out by trans athletes. The report also found that the replacement of the female sports category with a mixed-sex category has resulted in an increasing number of female athletes losing opportunities, including medals, when competing against males.