Grassroots women's football league boycotted in support of transgender and non-binary players

A number of amateur teams will boycott a grassroots women’s football league in support of transgender and non-binary players.

Based in East London, the Super 5 League has claimed to welcome “women and non-binary people of all levels” since its inception in 2017.

With 50 teams playing in seven divisions, the five-a-side league has received awards from the FA and is now partnered with Nike Football.

Despite promoting inclusivity, these values have been questioned by Camden Bells FC. The team formed last year and played their very first Super 5 League fixture this weekend.

According to a statement released by Camden Bells, the team were approached after the match by a Super 5 League official, who shared concerns over one of the players. The team member in question was a trans non-binary person.

“He [the official] stated he was worried for future opponent’s welfare, and because of this, our trans non-binary player should not be allowed to play in a ‘women’s league’,” the statement said.

“We were appalled by this conversation as this league claims to be an inclusive space – with ‘LGBTQIA+ & non-binary friendly’ plastered across their marketing materials.

“These inclusive labels attract big sponsors, and we believe it is unacceptable to profit from them if the league is not willing to wholly embrace and promote minority groups.”

As a result of the incident, Camden Bells decided to boycott the Super 5 League with immediate effect and is set to create its own “truly inclusive” space.

The @Super5League need to take a long hard look at themselves, and then at what they claim to stand for.

You can't claim to be LGBTQIA inclusive, while also policing what people can look like in order to play.

Full statement (taken off insta) from