Homophobia in football is an issue that has seen increased discussion in recent months – something that has no doubt been influenced by Vlatko Markovic and Sepp Blatter’s recent comments, as well as the controversial decision to give the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer’s decision to come out as bisexual last month also played a role in the increased coverage of homosexuality in football. Media coverage of transsexuality and transgenderism in football, though, is still relatively non-existent.
The most high-profile example of transsexuality in football was in June 2005 when Martine Delaney, formerly Martin Delaney, was allowed to compete in Soccer Tasmanian’s women’s league. Delaney, who was 47-years-old at the time, was initially shy about being a male-to-female transsexual footballer but she played regularly for Claremont United after gaining support from her team-mates.
Other players in the league, though, were concerned about her excellent form. After Delaney scored six goals for her club, they questioned her right to play in the league and complained; showing the discrimination directed at transgender and transsexual footballers.
Both Soccer Tasmania and the Football Federation of Australia confirmed that Delaney was entitled to play in the league as, according to a ruling made by the International Olympic Committee in May 2004, she is classed as a female and banning her would contradict their anti-discriminatory rules. Despite the anti-discriminatory rules that are in place, though, the requirement for transsexual and transgender footballers to meet set criteria is commonplace internationally.
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