Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine has criticised the English Football Association's ban on transgender women in women's football, calling the decision 'really disappointing'.
The 32-year-old, who captains German Bundesliga team St Pauli, is the highest-profile male footballer to speak out against the FA's decision.
Irvine has won 78 caps for Australia and represented the Socceroos at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups.
The ban, announced earlier this month, affects 20-30 grassroots players who had previously been cleared to play under the FA's case-by-case policy.
Jackson Irvine played for Australia in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups
PA
Irvine initially reacted to the FA ban on Instagram: "Football deserves better. Our game is for everyone."
Speaking on Sky Sports' "Real Talk" podcast, Irvine further explained this was an 'emotional response', but they did reflect his strong feelings on inclusion.
He said: "Football always felt like the place where we wouldn't be so heavy-handed, especially in the immediate aftermath of what's already a really worrying decision for all trans people and queer people in the country."
He called the decision 'really disappointing' from a federation that has supported Rainbow Laces campaigns and claimed to believe football is for all.
JUST IN:Lewis Hamilton unfollows Ferrari on Instagram ahead of Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Jackson Irvine featured on Sky Sports' Real Talk podcast
X
The English authorities announced on May 1 they were withdrawing a case-by-case policy on trans inclusion that had operated for at least a decade.
The decision followed legal advice provided after a UK Supreme Court ruling. At the same time, the Scottish FA implemented a similar blanket ban in the women's category.
The two associations are believed to be the first in global football to announce such stringent regulations.
An FA statement said it was a 'complex subject' and that "our position has always been that if there was a material change in law, science, or the operation of the policy in grassroots football, then we would review it and change it if necessary."
No trans women are known to be currently active in the top four tiers of English or Scottish women's football, but the impact is felt at grassroots level, where 20-30 previously cleared players have been informed they will now be ineligible.
Within the women's football community, there has been a huge outpouring of support for the banned players, led by London-based inclusive club Goal Diggers FC, who released an open letter to the FA demanding they 'reverse the ban'.
Several teams in the FA-affiliated Greater London Women's Football League have issued statements opposing the ban, including South London Laces, Sporting Duet, and Camden and Islington United.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Goal Diggers released an open letter to the FA, and did a sponsored 'walk to Wembley'
X
Former England international Anita Asante has spoken supportively of trans people in recent weeks, saying that 'now is not the time to be silent'.
She said: "I think it's important to remember, we're talking about being inclusive We've got to make sure we don't marginalise anybody, so let's keep supporting people."
Irvine represents the first example of a player from the men's professional game speaking out.
Asked why no male players have spoken out, the Australian added: "I still think we've got a long way to go in football, and especially men's football, to feel confident to speak out on any social issues."
He noted this was particularly true for LGBTQ rights "where maybe players don't feel confident or supported to even make those statements themselves."
Irvine called for greater solidarity within football against exclusionary policies, saying: "I would like to see more people stand up against when we try to take rights away from our fellow footballers.
"The game has taken strides forward. Generationally, we are in a more accepting and open space."
The FA and Scottish FA bans will come into force at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
Despite no consultation yet beginning on updated statutory guidance following the Supreme Court ruling, other UK sporting bodies have already taken similar action, with cricket, netball and pool authorities all following suit.
No other national football associations or confederations have moved to enforce such bans in recent weeks.
FIFA's own policy on transgender inclusion has been under review for several years. The world governing body has not yet commented on the developments in the UK.
