Anyone who has “diverse” or “unspecified” as their gender in their personal document (possible since 2018) can in future decide for themselves whether they want to play for women or men in DFB youth and amateur teams.
So far, the gender entered in the passport – male or female – was decisive for the allocation from the A youth (up to the B youth girls and boys are allowed to play together).
This is how the innovation works in practice: In the state and regional associations, persons of trust support transgender, intersex and non-binary persons in granting eligibility to play.
DFB President Bernd Neuendorf (60) to BILD: “With this rule we are expressing that football belongs to everyone. We see ourselves in a pioneering role here. Football is colorful and diverse. We want to set an offensive sign for respectful cooperation.”
Is there a risk of competitive injustice when male-born players play on women’s teams?
DFB Vice Ronny Zimmermann (responsible for amateurs): “It would only distort competition if someone were to play along unfairly. But if you are no longer a man, then you are a strong woman and can play along. That won’t be a big factor in the future, because there are eleven to play football.”
Most recently, male-born trans woman Lia Thomas sparked debate because she swam up to 40 seconds faster than her opponents. Until 2019 she had started with men. The US Association recognized her from the title. In the future, a testosterone limit should be used.
