An 18-year-old female footballer with ADHD and learning difficulties has received a six-match ban for questioning whether transgender opponents in her match were men.
The player was sanctioned by a National Serious Case Panel after asking a referee to check if opposing players were "eligible to play" during a match in September.
The teenager was required to complete an online education course, while her club received seven disciplinary points, according to the Telegraph.
According to disciplinary proceedings, the teenager asked the referee: "Have you checked if all of their players are eligible to play? Look at their keeper and for example their number 10 is obviously a man."
An 18-year-old female footballer with ADHD and learning difficulties has received a six-match ban for questioning whether transgender opponents in her match were men.
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The incident occurred after she had not taken her ADHD medication due to another medical condition.
A complaint was filed by the opposition club, which claimed she had also said "This is a man" to their non-trans players.
The player admitted attempting to question opposing team members about their biological sex after the referee threatened to send her off.
The player admitted attempting to question opposing team members about their biological sex after the referee threatened to send her off
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This marks the second such case in recent months, following a similar ban given to a 17-year-old with suspected autism in November 2024 for asking an adult transgender opponent "Are you a man?"
The earlier case sparked protests outside England matches at Wembley and Bramall Lane, and drew criticism in the House of Lords from former FA chairman Lord Triesman.
As with the previous case, the written reasons for the latest punishment have not been made public, even in redacted form.
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Speaking to Telegraph Sport anonymously, the teenager expressed her disillusionment, saying: "It kind of made me hate football."
She voiced concerns about being unable to raise questions about playing against those born male, stating: "If I say anything else, I get another six-game ban. So I can't even stand up for myself at this point."
An FA spokesperson said: "This case was heard by an independent National Serious Case Panel in November 2024, and they issued a sanction for a breach of FA rules. The charges were immediately accepted by the player."
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The FA added that they could not publish written reasons to protect players and respect confidential details.
They stated: "We regularly review our processes in this area and we will always look to take the appropriate steps to challenge improper conduct in our game."
Fiona McAnena, director of campaigns at Sex Matters, called the suspension "disgraceful" and questioned how long the FA could "claim that there is no problem."
The FA have been criticised after a teenager with ADHD and learning difficulties received a ban for comments made about trans players
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She warned that many sports had waited "until a man is about to hit the big time in the women's game before acting to protect the female category."
The controversy comes as the FA faces continued pressure to revise its trans rules, with 48 MPs and 27 peers having signed a letter urging changes to "protect women and girls" in football.
