Osasco says it is surprised by the new CBV policy and guarantees support for Tifanny

Osasco São Cristóvão Saúde spoke out after the Brazilian Volleyball Confederation (CBV) announced, on Friday (14), a new eligibility policy according to which only biologically female athletes can compete in the entity's women's competitions. The opposite Tifanny, the first trans athlete to compete in the Superliga, in December 2017, has represented the São Paulo club since 2021 and won the 2024/2025 season title with the team.

In a statement, Osasco stated that it was "surprised" by the CBV's decision. According to the club, the measure was taken "without any prior participation or opinion from the club". The case was forwarded to the legal department, which "is evaluating the published regulations to define the next steps." Osasco also declared “full support for Tifanny”.

The São Paulo Volleyball Federation (FPV) also spoke out. The entity informed that, as the Campeonato Paulista started before the publication of the new policy, "possible measures" will be taken "for the next competitions [...] after analysis and manifestation of the legal and health areas".

Thus, Tifanny remains free to compete in the Campeonato Paulista. This Saturday (15), the Osasco team debuts in the competition against Pinheiros, at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Ginásio José Liberatti, in Osasco (SP).

New policy

According to the CBV, the new eligibility criteria seeks to comply with the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). Athletes must meet the criteria established by the new policy, which include presenting a negative result for the SRY gene.

The previous rule provided that trans women could act as long as serum testosterone levels were below a certain limit. The new determination comes into force in the next editions of the Superliga, in the two main divisions, and the Supercup, in addition to the Copa Brasil and the Brazilian Beach Volleyball Circuit in 2027.

In February this year, Minister Cármen Lúcia, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), granted an injunction that allowed Tifanny to participate in the Copa Brasil, in Londrina (PR), in response to CBV's own request. Before the decision, the city's City Council approved, as a matter of urgency, a request related to the participation of trans athletes in sporting events in the city.