A London football club has announced a trans-inclusive tournament to protest the FA ban on trans players. And in a stunning act of poetic justice, it’s set to take place the day the football governing body’s ban kicks in. 

Goal Diggers FC, a trans-inclusive team for women, non-binary and gender non-conforming players in Hackney, has announced the Let The Dolls Play Tournament on 1 June.

“Join us to celebrate our incredible grassroots community and our trans teammates, and to stand in solidarity against the FA’s cruel and cowardly ban,” the post read on Instagram. 

“We are reclaiming this day, with a cross-club trans-inclusive football tournament. The purpose is simply to get our community together doing what we love and to celebrate our trans teammates.”

The non-ability-based football team is welcoming other trans and gender non-conforming football clubs and individual players to join in with the friendly tournament. “We’re aiming for everyone to get at least 60 minutes of football, and the day will finish with a twist: the final will be played between the two teams with the fewest wins. True to GDFC ethos — fun, community, and flipping the script,” the entry form reads.

The tournament is set to take place on the first day of Pride Month, which also marks the day that the FA’s trans women in football ban comes into effect. The club is yet to announce a location for the tournament, but has invited teams to register for the event online.

Weeks ago, the FA and Scottish FA announced trans women would be barred from taking part in women’s football following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling on the legal definition of a woman, and told them to become coaches or referees instead.

The judgment by the UK’s highest court’s justices ruled that the protected characteristic of ‘sex’ under the 2010 Equality Act solely refers to biological women and therefore excludes trans women.

However, advocates and women’s football teams have come out swinging for trans rights in the sport. Goal Diggers FC wrote an open letter to FA boss Mark Bullingham, demanding that the sporting body reverse its decision, while other clubs have also condemned the ban.

To sign up for Goal Diggers FC’s Let The Dolls Play Tournament, click here.

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