Doing it together: DIY football against the trans ban

In the third article of Against Modern Football, Republica Internationale FC members condemn the ban of transgender people and argue for an inclusive alternative through radical autonomous DIY clubs and leagues.

On 1st June 2025, the FA banned trans women from playing in women’s leagues across the country at every level of the football pyramid. An effective shadow ban was also created for trans men and non-binary players who had to renounce their gender identity to be able to play in any league games. This ban is transphobic. It’s not the first time the FA have banned women from playing football. In 1921 the FA banned women from all football leagues, excluding them from pitches and playing. This ban is an example of the oppressive misogynistic practices that are endemic within mainstream football, in which men continue to feel threatened by women and gender queer players reclaiming the game for themselves.

Football can be an exclusionary space. Many grow up not seeing it as a sport that is for them. Football can very much reinforce capitalist and misogynistic ideals around body image, ability, and heteronormativity. For some, it is not until later in adult life that they find radical, inclusive football clubs that offer a space that represents their values, where football becomes something they actively want to take part in. This has been felt by many women, non-binary, and transgender players who participate and organise within the radical autonomous football club of Republica Internationale. 

Republica is situated within a network of radical DIY football clubs that were set up by punks, anarchists, and socialists alike in the 1980s and 1990s. Their purpose was to reimagine alternative ways of doing sport that fitted with their subcultural lifestyles and anti-capitalist values. These radical DIY communities foster senses of inclusion, belonging, and solidarity that bring meaning, affirmation, learning, and joy that goes far beyond the typical expectations of a sports club. Republica’s sister club, Easton Cowfolk in Bristol, has provided the most inspiration and friendship over the past thirty years or so.

Republica frequently refers to itself as ‘more than a football club’. And yet, the medium of football is what makes these radical clubs so important to consider. Football is the most popular sport in the world. With this comes an entrenchment of mainstream footballing discourses that can appear universal and impossible to contest and transform. Many have documented how racism, homophobia, and misogyny are perpetuated within football. Therefore, football offers one of the greatest challenges, but simultaneously one of the most important and visible sites, in which to contest discourses within sport and beyond.

As a club that strives to offer football spaces for all, Republica Internationale were dismayed by the FA’s decision to ban trans-women from football. This ruling feeds transphobic rhetoric and discrimination, and we believe no one should be excluded from the game we love. The ban brought up many difficult and challenging conversations as the club navigated ways in which to best support our trans and non-binary players.

As a result of the ban, our team who previously played in the FA ‘Women’s’ Sunday League voted to disaffiliate from all FA leagues or cups. Instead, the focus has been on setting up and supporting alternative autonomous footballing spaces. Since then, Republica have supported the running of the Doing It Together (DIT) league. This is a Leeds-based 7-aside league formed to provide trans inclusive football space in the city; its formation very much inspired by the Easton Cowfolk’s Bristol Casual League. Alongside this, the Let Them Play cup is an 11-a-side football cup set up in opposition of the ban and to encourage other teams to step out of the FA, with teams coming from Leeds and Manchester to play.

Both of these autonomously-run spaces have taken hard work and dedication to set up, but they have also brought moments of joy, community, and solidarity. Importantly, they have also demonstrated full defiance against the FA’s oppressive ruling. Just as the FA’s ban between 1921 to 1971 never truly stopped women from playing football, this ban cannot stop women, non-binary, and transgender footballers playing together either. Just as the banned women did before us, autonomous clandestine football spaces and leagues will continue whether the FA like it or not. 

Work continues on growing trans-inclusive spaces in Leeds. Republica’s Mixed team have just set up the Yorkshire Collective League, a 7-a-side league outside the FA where all genders, including cisgender men, are welcome to play together. The DIT League and Let Them Play Cup continue to grow, with more teams joining this upcoming season. Across the UK, a wider network of queer, inclusive clubs and grassroots organisations continue to build autonomous tournaments, leagues, and cups; demonstrating that as much as those in power may try to enforce exclusionary and oppressive practices, our communities can resist and shape the future of football.

This is the third part in an ongoing rs21 series of articles, Against Modern Football. You can read the first article here and the second here.