FIFA are among the sporting bodies reviewing their policy on trans players amid row over inclusion of transgender athletes… after rugby league and swimming chiefs took tough stances on female competitions
- The ongoing row over transgender inclusion is splitting sports worldwide
- FIFA are among those that are currently reviewing their policy on trans players
- World Athletics will re-examine transgender guidelines at the end of the year
- International Rugby League banned trans players from women’s internationals
- FINA have decided to stop trans athletes from competing in women’s elite races
The row over transgender inclusion is splitting sports worldwide with FIFA among those reviewing their policy on trans players.
It was announced on Tuesday that International Rugby League had banned trans players from participating in women’s internationals while further research is conducted. That followed the decision of FINA, swimming’s world governing body, to stop trans athletes from competing in women’s elite races if they have gone through any part of male puberty.
The Mail on Sunday revealed that FIFA had drafted radical rules which would allow footballers to compete as their self-identified gender, meaning trans women could take part in female football regardless of their testosterone levels. That was welcomed by human rights experts but criticised by sports scientists who feel this would compromise fairness.
However, just days later, it is thought FIFA could instead align themselves with FINA’s stance. Football’s governing body told Sportsmail they are still consulting on their gender eligibility regulations and are taking guidance ‘from many stakeholders — medical, legal, scientific/performance and human rights — as well as the IOC Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations’.
Mention of the Intentional Olympic Committee is telling, with the IOC last year saying there should be no assumption that a trans athlete automatically has an unfair advantage in female events. The IOC decided to leave it to individual sports to issue their own eligibility criteria.
The row over transgender inclusion is splitting sports worldwide, with FIFA among those reviewing their policy on trans players
It was announced on Tuesday that International Rugby League had banned trans players from participating in women’s internationals while further research is conducted
Seb Coe has been emphatic in his belief that ‘biology trumps gender’ and World Athletics will re-examine their transgender guidelines at the end of the year
Last week saw cycling’s governing body UCI announce stricter eligibility rules for trans women, halving the testosterone limit allowed and doubling the transition time to two years.
Lord Coe, the president of World Athletics, has also confirmed they are re-examining their approach, saying that ‘biology’ should be prioritised over ‘gender’. The International Tennis Federation and International Boxing Association both told Sportsmail they are considering their rules.
The FA, who are also conducting a review, have commissioned the charity Gendered Intelligence to help them develop guidance, adding: ‘We are passionate about ensuring that football is for all.’
FINA (pictured president Husain Al Musallam) voted that trans women who ‘experienced any part of male puberty’ can no longer enter female events
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