Skip to main content
Players with differences of sexual development should not be excluded, report finds
FIFA flag

FOOTBALLERS with differences of sexual development (DSD) should be free to play in the female game without restrictions, a new report has recommended.

There appears to be “no legitimate basis” to exclude them, a report produced with support from the Fifa Research Scholarship has said.

The report by Dr Seema Patel, an associate professor in law at Nottingham Trent University, also says medical requirements could not be imposed on DSD players as a condition of participation, because Fifa would be at risk of breaching its own human rights obligations.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
The crowd at Manchester Punk Festival 2024
Culture / 11 April 2025
11 April 2025
Ben Cowles speaks with IAN ‘TREE’ ROBINSON and ANDY DAVIES, two of the string pullers behind the Manchester Punk Festival, ahead of its 10th year show later this month
SETTING AN EXAMPLE: Watford’s and Norwich City players tak
Features / 13 March 2025
13 March 2025
Ben Cowles previews his interview with Stand Up to Racism’s SABBY DHALU for the Morning Star’s new Youtube channel
Similar stories
Rainbow corner flags in support of the Stonewall campaign before the Championship match at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Participation / 1 May 2025
1 May 2025

Supreme Court ruling prompts sporting bodies to redefine eligibility by biological sex

Candidate to the presidency of the International Olympic Com
Athletics / 25 March 2025
25 March 2025
Aim for testing to begin in September to ensure ‘integrity of female sport’