Team refuses to play after signing of transgender player

A women’s football team has pulled out just hours from a scheduled match after the club signed a transgender player.

A women's football match was postponed after outrage over Sutton United's signing of a 34-year-old transgender goalkeeper

A women’s football team in the United Kingdom appears to have refused to play after their controversial signing of a transgender goalkeeper.

Sutton United were due to field Blair Hamilton, a 1.8m biological male, against Ebbsfleet on Sunday (Monday morning AEST). But Sutton postponed within three hours of the 2pm kick-off saying they could not field a team but offered no further explanation, The Sun reports.

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However, it is understood the cancellation was related to disquiet about newly signed Hamilton.

The lofty keeper, who appeared for the University of Aberdeen’s men’s side and Saltdean United Women, has faced protests during spells at two other teams.

A women's football match was postponed after outrage over Sutton United's signing of a 34-year-old transgender goalkeeper

Ebbsfleet’s chief executive Damian Irvine said of the postponement: “Very disappointed to be advised this by Sutton United Women.

“A full hour later, they’ve advised their own fans so I’m so sorry for those planning on setting off. We do our best to promote and support the sport but this doesn’t help.”

Trans goalkeeper Blair Hamilton has faced protests during spells at two other teams

Sutton has been approached for comment.

In 2022, the team’s transgender manager Lucy Clark, 51, floated the possibility of a team fielding only trans players, saying: “How good is that?”

Former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies condemned Hamilton’s signing as “irresponsible and dangerous”.

She said on X: “If you’re prepared to play in a football team fielding males, you’re prepared to go along with cheating and an increased risk of injury to opponents.”

- This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission

Originally published as Team refuses to play after signing of transgender player