SCOTLAND'S only transgender football player affected by the SFA’s rule change to ban non-biological females has hit out at the sporting body over the decision, saying she feels “sick” and “heartbroken”.
On Tuesday, the governing body of Scottish football, the SFA, changed its rules on transgender players, bringing in a ban on anyone who was not born biologically female from playing in women’s competitive football.
The decision follows the landmark ruling by the Supreme Court earlier this month where it ruled that women are defined by biology.
The SFA’s change affects any trans women with the ambition or desire to play competitive women’s football by banning them from taking part in the sport.
The governing body reportedly said there are currently no trans women registered to play in women’s competitive football.
However, Jasmine Angove was a registered player with Edinburgh Uni Thistle in the fifth tier of the SWPL last season.
She said she was shocked by the news as under the new ruling, she won’t be able to play for her club again.
“Unfortunately for me, it does feel personal,” Angove told STV News.
“I love playing grassroots football and inclusive football but I also like playing at a more competitive level.
“I like being challenged and with these girls that we play with and against I am not the strongest, I’m not the tallest, I’m not the fastest and I’m not the best.
“But I love to play with them and we have a great bond. I’ve spoken to the club today and they are all supporting me and are shocked and saddened as well.”
She added: “Now I won’t get the chance to play with them again. Which breaks my heart.”
Angove runs Gender Goals – Scotland’s first trans and non-binary football club.
She has been unable to play with Edinburgh Uni Thistle this season due to a serious knee injury which has kept her out of the game.
Angove said she lives for football and that the decision has left her feeling anxious and sick.
She added: “Can you think of a top trans footballer? It’s me. And I’m in the fifth tier and get injured all the time.
“It’s a non-issue and a knee-jerk reaction in response to the UK Supreme Court.”
“I feel shocked. I haven’t really processed it. I have so much anxiety, I feel sick.
“I’m wondering when I’m going to break down. I live for football, and now I don’t have that.
“And it’s just me that’s been banned. It feels very personal, no one consulted me about it, no one came to watch me play.
“I’m heartbroken.”
Angove said she supported the previous regulation, saying she doesn’t believe trans people who haven’t taken hormones should be allowed to play the women’s game.
Adding the SFA have given in to fear instead of believing in science.
She said: “The regulation was fit for purpose and I fully agreed with it.
“Now they’ve got rid of them, they have succumbed to fear instead of science.”
In the Scottish FA handbook, rule 20.1 states: “In any match played under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA, other than the exception permitted in Article 20.2, all of the participating players shall be of the same gender.”
The exception referred to is for games involving players who are under the age of 15 at the start of the year, who are allowed to play in mixed games.
There’s also a rule clarifying that coaching and instructional courses can be mixed.
The existing rules mean trans players can play in women’s football on a case-by-case basis, with testosterone levels being regularly monitored.
