France Federation Allows Transgender Women to Play Rugby

Inclusion of transgender athletes in sport has been a debated topic in most parts of the world. While some oppose their participation opposite the same sex by birth, while others call for regulations to allow transgender athletes to compete. In France, a decision has been in favor of the second category.

On May 18, 2021, the French rugby federation (FFR) defied the World Rugby guidance, as they accepted the proposal from its Anti-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Commission. The FFR unanimously voted to allow transgender women in all domestic rugby competitions from the next season.

Last year, World Rugby had stated that it did not recommend allowing transgender women to take part in women’s elite or international rugby teams “on safety grounds”. However, the governing body only advised without binding the national federations to implement the guidelines in their domestic competitions.

Citing the voting of the executive board, the Vice-President of the French rugby federation Serge Simon said, “Rugby is an inclusive, sharing sport, without distinction of sex, gender, origin or religion.”

“It is important to allow all our members to practise their passion while respecting everyone’s rights,” he said.

The FFR confirmed that the transgender people who are “physically reassigned and recognised in their current gender” can participate in all its official competitions, two years ahead of the World Cup in France.

However, the authorities clarified that athletes who are transitioning to their new sexual identity would be required to provide of a proof that their civil record has changed. Besides, the transgender women transitioning from male to female will need to certify that they have been undergoing hormonal treatment for at least 12 months. Besides, they must not exceed “the testosterone threshold of five nanomoles per litre”.

The French federation has put no preconditions for the players who have already transitioned and have changed their civil record. It said that the vote of inclusion sends a “benevolent and resolute signal that respect for minorities is an irrefutable right in our sport”.

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