Cerys Vaughan, a teenage footballer who was sanctioned by the Football Association for questioning a transgender opponent’s eligibility during a friendly match, has had her case dropped and her record cleared following an FA appeal board’s ruling that she was denied a fair hearing.
The original disciplinary panel had banned Vaughan for six matches, four of which were suspended, after finding her conduct constituted an “aggravated breach” of FA rules.
However, the appeal board criticised the initial proceedings, saying Vaughan’s evidence was improperly curtailed and her explanation ignored, ultimately quashing the ruling and declaring the hearing unfair. The case had sparked national debate and protest, with women’s rights campaigners rallying in her support.
Vaughan, now 18, has spoken publicly for the first time, saying the ordeal significantly impacted her life and calling for an apology from the FA.
The governing body recently changed its policy to exclude transgender women from the women’s game, citing legal advice and concerns over fairness and safety.
Vaughan welcomed the rule change, asserting that women’s football should be reserved for biological females and arguing that the new policy validated her original concerns.
Critics of the ban say it unfairly targets a small and largely non-competitive group, but Vaughan insists inclusion should not come at the cost of fairness or player safety.
‘Do you have any sympathy for transgender women who feel excluded from a sport they love?’
‘No. I also have a love for the game’
Cerys Vaughan you are hero. You speak for so many young women who are too afraid to. You have made them braver. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/nLykqIOwkz
— Connie Shaw (@_ConnieShaw) May 10, 2025
