Rugby league is now the second sporting code to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s international competitions after a huge decision was made by FINA.
Recently, the International Rugby League revealed that further consultation and research were needed to finalize a new policy for next year, and cited the “welfare, legal and reputational risk” to rugby and players for the decision.
A statement from rugby’s global governing body said till then, transgender women players “are unable to play in sanctioned women’s international rugby league matches.
“It is the IRL’s responsibility to balance the individual’s right to participate … against perceived risk to other participants, and to ensure all are given a fair hearing.”
This translates to the fact that transgender athletes will be banned from this year’s Women’s Rugby League World Cup which will take place in England in November.
The decision came at a time when swimming’s governing body FINA announced trans-athletes would be banned from racing in female competitions.
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