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Following the bans on trans women announced by FINA, which governs international swimming, and also by the International Rugby League, a spokesperson for football’s governing body, FIFA, has said that the organisation is currently consulting over a new trans policy.

A FIFA spokesperson told Reuters: “FIFA is currently reviewing its gender eligibility regulations in consultation with expert stakeholders. Due to the ongoing nature of the process, FIFA is not in a position to comment on specifics of proposed amendments to the existing regulations.” 

Human rights

“Should FIFA be asked to verify the eligibility of a player before the new regulations will be in place, any such case will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, taking into account FIFA’s clear commitment to respect human rights,” the spokesperson added.

At the same time, World Athletics president Lord Coe told the BBC that it was important to protect the integrity of women’s sport, adding: “When push comes to shove, if it’s a judgement between inclusion and fairness, we will always fall down on the side of fairness – that for me is non-negotiable.

“We can’t have a generation of young girls thinking there is not a future for them in the sport. So we have a responsibility…maintaining the primacy and the integrity of female competition is absolutely vital.

“We see an international federation asserting its primacy in setting rules, regulations and policies that are in the best interest of its sport,” he continued.

“This is as it should be. We have always believed that biology trumps gender and we will continue to review our regulations in line with this. We will follow the science.

“We continue to study, research and contribute to the growing body of evidence that testosterone is a key determinant in performance, and have scheduled a discussion on our regulations with our council at the end of the year.” 

Qatar

World Athletics’ current rules cap testosterone levels at five nanomoles per litre (5 nmol/L) for transgender athletes. FIFA has already drawn the ire of many LGBTQ+ fans over their decision to hold the men’s World Cup in Qatar later this year. Homosexuality is illegal in the oil-rich gulf state, prompting many LGBTQ+ supporters’ groups from England and Wales refusing to follow their teams to the tournament. 

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