Groups supporting transgender people in Southampton say that the FA's decision to bar transgender women from women's football is a "death by a thousand cuts."

The FA's decision means that transgender women will no longer be able to play in women’s football from June 1, 2025.

The organisation has said it has updated its policy in light of last month’s UK Supreme Court ruling regarding the Equality Act.

The governing body’s transgender inclusion policy had been updated just before that ruling, and continued to allow transgender women to play in women’s football provided they reduced testosterone levels.

READ MORE: Southampton transgender groups concerned over UK Supreme Court ruling

Those rule changes gave the FA ultimate discretion on permitting a trans woman to play, with consideration given to safety and fairness issues.

Mabel Wellman, the director of Trans Pride Southampton, has voiced her disappointment over the decision.

She said: "The FA had been very supportive in the past few years when we have had sporting events, it really is disappointing to see this bad news this morning.

"In terms of the transgender community, I am really sorry for the people that this does affect. Whilst it is really a small number, I think it is wrong.

"Transgender people do deserve to compete in sports. The blanket bans in cricket, too, are not helping the situation at all.

"We have had some people report that they are very upset with this, really, about people being excluded again and again. Immediately, it feels like a death by a thousand cuts.

"Sports are really good for physical and mental health, and that is something that is going to be impacted in small sports teams across the country."

READ MORE: Southampton: Peaceful pride march after Supreme Court ruling

Mabel adds that the FA's decision may set a precedent for how transgender women are treated in women's sports.

Gillian Russell, a Southampton transgender woman who runs the Transvox podcast and CEO of a charity supporting trans people, said: "We have worked with football clubs in the past.

"They are usually quite diverse and inclusive, working with fans from all aspects of society, so that they can come in and enjoy the sport and be part of the community.

"We are being told we can't be part of that and have been excluded."

This decision follows the UK's Supreme Court decision concluding that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex.