FIFA To Review Gender Eligibility Policies

International football governing body, FIFA, and World Athletics are set to review their transgender policies, which could see athletes excluded from women’s competitions.

After the announcement from FINA yesterday, FIFA is set to review their gender eligibility policies.

According to the ABC, a FIFA spokesperson, said: “FIFA is currently reviewing its gender eligibility regulations in consultation with expert stakeholders.”

“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 said.

Additionally, International Rugby League (IRL) has banned transgender athletes from competing at an international level until further research has been conducted, with a decision coming after the Women’s Rugby League World Cup in October.

On the decision, an International Rugby League statement said: “In the interests of avoiding unnecessary welfare, [the] legal and reputational risk to International Rugby League competitions, and those competing therein, the IRL believes there is a requirement and responsibility to further consult and complete additional research before finalising its policy.”

“The IRL reaffirms its belief that rugby league is a game for all and that anyone and everyone can play our sport.

“It is the IRL’s responsibility to balance the individual’s right to participate [in] a long-standing principle of rugby league and at its heart from the day it was established against perceived risk to other participants, and to ensure all are given a fair hearing.

“The IRL will continue to work towards developing a set of criteria, based on best possible evidence, which fairly balances the individual’s right to play with the safety of all participants,” it said.

World Athletics was the third organisation to make an announcement on policy changes, where president, Sebastian Coe, told the BBC, [that] the organisation’s council would discuss their regulations at the end of the year.

The news comes after the international swimming governing body, FINA, voted to restrict transgender athletes from participating in women’s events and establish a new open category.