A transgender goalkeeper in the women’s team is dividing England football. Teammates reportedly don’t want to play with her

The transfer of transgender goalkeeper Blair Hamilton to the women’s team Sutton United has sparked heated debate in England. Some argue that her presence in the team disrupts women’s football, while others support her right to play.

• Blair Hamilton’s transfer to Sutton United’s women’s team has sparked debates about transgender players in football
• Female teammates reportedly refused to play alongside Hamilton
• The English FA’s transgender policy allows female players to play according to their confirmed gender

The transfer of transgender goalkeeper Blair Hamilton to women’s football team Sutton United has caused a wave of emotion in England. She was also brought to the club by coach Lucy Clark, who is also transgender.

The football public is divided – some fans and pundits support her, while others point to a possible unfair advantage and negative impact on women’s football.

Hamilton was born a man and has been undergoing hormone therapy since 2016. She has now found herself in the spotlight after her team postponed a match with Ebbsfleet United, reportedly due to a lack of female players.

The club fully supports the player

British media began speculating that Sutton teammates did not want to start alongside the transgender goalkeeper, but this was strongly denied by the club. Club officials said they fully support Blair and coach Lucy Clark, adding that the postponement of the match was merely a precautionary step to avoid negative publicity and potential legal complications.

Still, the situation has raised a number of questions about transgender players in women’s sports.

The Football Association (FA) has a clear transgender policy that allows male and female footballers to play according to the confirmed gender they identify with. Each case is considered on an individual basis to maintain fairness of competition.

Sutton United has stressed that it complied with all FA regulations when signing Hamilton, and the player therefore meets all the legal requirements to participate in the women’s competition.

Blair Hamilton’s debut for Sutton United, with the team winning 6-0, went without any complications. However, after this successful start, speculation began to emerge about tensions within the team. Reports claimed that some players refused to start the next game, but this information was never thoroughly confirmed.

While some point to a lack of support from teammates, others believe it was more of an excuse to postpone the match due to media pressure.

Women’s soccer advocates and some women’s rights activists claim that the involvement of transgender players like Hamilton threatens the integrity of the competitions. Critics point out that biological differences can give transgender players an advantage and call for the FA to introduce stricter rules on their participation.

Transgender players feel no advantage

However, Hamilton told the BBC in 2019 that hormone therapy has had a major impact on her physical abilities and that she feels no advantage on the pitch after the therapy. In her words, she lost muscle mass and explosiveness. She also added that she was aware of her identity from an early age but had to keep it a secret during her childhood and teenage years.

The whole situation has opened up a wider debate about transgender players in football, which the FA will have to address more and more. While Sutton United are standing firmly behind their goalkeeper, questions remain about the future and rules for transgender athletes in football.

Source: Sutton United Football Club, BBC