The Irish FA says it will continue following the UK Sports Council's guidance when it comes to transgender inclusion in football.
The IFA confirmed its stance after the Ladies Gaelic Football Association introduced a new policy allowing trans women and children over the age of 12 to compete.
The policy was approved last week and will apply to all unless there is an “unacceptable risk” to players.
Read more: NI family heartbroken as man who sold them LFC tickets disappeared
The LGFA added that it was “committed to the inclusion” of transgender women and that it “will not tolerate any harassment or discrimination.”
The Irish Football Association said it is "aware of the growing number of trans people wishing to participate in the game at different levels" and said it would continue following the guidance of the UK Sports Council and other relevant authorities.
An IFA spokesperson said: "At the Irish FA we believe football is for all.
"We are aware of the growing number of trans people wishing to participate in the game at different levels.
"The UK Sports Council has published guidance related to this issue and we will be using that, and liaising with other governing bodies, including UEFA and FIFA, as well as local expert stakeholders, to ensure a well-rounded policy is developed."
Guidelines for transgender participation in national and grassroots sport were published by the UK sports councils back in 2021, and admitted there was no easy solution to trans women competing in female sport while guaranteeing competitive fairness and safety.
The report found that while there was widespread support for ensuring sport was a welcoming place for every person, there were concerns relating to safety and sporting fairness in the inclusion of transgender people, particularly transgender women.
It states that transgender women are likely to "retain physical advantage in terms of physique, stamina, and strength" which would "impact safety parameters in sports which are combat, collision or contact in nature".
The report reads: "Two divergent groups emerged amongst respondents. One group believed wholly in the value of inclusion over and above anything else and believe that transgender people should be able to take part in sport at every level with limited to no restrictions.
"The second group believed in what they would describe as fair sporting competition and adherence to rules which give sport validity – and therefore, they believe that transgender participation should be subject to regulation.
"The review concluded that the views of these two groups couldn’t be reconciled within the existing structure of sport and that the system requires a reset and fresh thinking.
"The overarching recommendation is that NGBs (National Governing Bodies) and SGBs (Scottish Governing Bodies) are encouraged to enter a decision-making process, in which they can best accommodate transgender inclusion, fairness, and safety in their sport."
The report added: "We are therefore encouraging and advising NGBs and SGBs to define the best options for their sport and determine whether it may be possible to offer more than one version of their sport to achieve the different aims."
The Irish Rugby Football Union amended its gender participation policy last year, preventing transgender women from playing contact female rugby.
The IRFU said the move was "based on medical and scientific evidence and in line with World Rugby guidance."
READ NEXT:
- Only two players escape Gary Hamilton's wrath as defeat leaves him 'disgusted'
Inside Linfield FC's full-time academy and what it hopes to achieve
BAFTA success for one of the Irish League's much-loved figures
Antrim man outlines ambitious plans for new Belfast football club
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
