The CBC reports that FIFA ensured all players in the 2015 Women’s World Cup — currently taking place in Canada — are verified as 100 percent female.
FIFA began requiring the testing in 2011. It claims the use of androgenic hormones can blur the line between male and female.
The big question is how exactly countries can confirm their players are female. A report from Bild (German language) says the German Football Association use gynecological reports, while other associations have used hormone and chromosome testing and physical exams.
According to Fusion, the practice of gender testing has been controversial with medical professionals for a few decades, because “you can’t test for sex.”
The worst part for players is humiliation if they don’t fit perceived female “norms.” In 2013, six teams threatened to boycott Korea’s professional women’s soccer league, accusing one player, Park Eun-Son, of being a man.
One former Canadian soccer player, a participant in the 2007 cup, accused the practice of being sexist.
“It’s a bit of a discriminatory thing.” said Katie Thorlakson. “Are the men playing on [artificial] turf? No. Are the men getting tested for gender? No.”
