TRANS snooker players are set to be banned from the women’s game.
The move follows crackdowns by football and cricket chiefs.
Trans snooker player Jamie Hunter won the US Women’s Snooker Open in 2022, but faced a backlash
The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) is reviewing its policy after last month’s Supreme Court ruled that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.
Former world No 1 Maria Catalano, a cousin of ace Ronnie O’Sullivan, welcomed the review.
She has refused to play for three years since chiefs allowed trans women with reduced testosterone levels to compete in female events.
Maria said: “Women cannot compete at the level the men do. They might win the odd match against biological men but for me, winning one match is not competing. There’s a reason why they started a women’s tour.”
The WPBSA said its position “has always been that its policy would be subject to immediate review should there be a change in circumstances”.
Its statement added: “This is a complicated issue as the WPBSA has to ensure it complies with equality legislation around the world as well as in the UK.”
In 2022, trans snooker player Jamie Hunter won the US Women’s Snooker Open but was hit by an online backlash.
Yesterday the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed trans women will no longer play in any competitive women’s and girls’ cricket “with immediate effect”.
They had already been banned from the top two tiers.
The FA said on Thursday that trans women will no longer play in women’s football from June 1.
ReutersTrans snooker players are set to be banned from the women’s game[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
