July 16, (THEWILL) – U.S. soccer veteran, Megan Rapinoe, has sparked controversy after expressing her support for transgender women playing on the American squad.
Her statement drew the attention of retired tennis great, Martina Navratilova, a trailblazer for gay rights, who simply responded with “Yikes…” So far, the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s events remains a highly contentious and divisive issue in the world of sports, with various global federations including World Athletics and World Aquatics, recently tightening their rules. Although the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand features strong advocates for LGBT rights and visibility, FIFA is currently reviewing its trans eligibility policies.
The review was announced a year ago following the implementation of stricter regulations in international swimming. However, Rapinoe claims that her comments reflect her frustration with the legislative attempts to undermine the full humanity of transgender individuals, particularly when it comes to women’s sports. She highlighted the sudden concern for fairness and women’s sports as a weapon against transgender inclusion: “Now we care about fairness? Now we care about women’s sports?”
In response, Navratilova’s one-word tweet, “Yikes…,” captured her disapproval of Rapinoe’s stance. Rapinoe and her partner, retired WNBA star Sue Bird, were among 40 professional athletes who signed a letter opposing a federal bill that bans transgender athletes from participating in women’s and girls’ sports, citing Title IX compliance requirements. Critics argue that male puberty provides a significant physical advantage that transitioning does not mitigate, fueling the debate further.
FIFA’s updated guidelines regarding transgender inclusion in women’s sports have yet to be announced. Officials are attempting to strike a balance between inclusivity, safety, and fairness, a challenging task faced by swimming and athletics Federations. Joanna Harper, a Canadian-born transgender woman and author, expressed cautious optimism about FIFA’s commitment to inclusivity but highlighted concerns about regional or national football organisations, particularly in countries where the safety of transgender individuals is still at risk.
FIFA’s current rules, established in 2011, specify that only men are eligible to participate in men’s competitions, and the same applies to women. Before nomination to the national team, member associations must ensure the correct gender of all players through active investigation of any perceived deviation in secondary sex characteristics.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
