Tifanny Abreu criticizes CBV ban on transgender athletes

Tifanny Abreu, a 41-year-old volleyball player for Osasco São Cristóvão Saúde, has criticized the Confederação Brasileira de Voleibol (CBV) following a new eligibility policy that prohibits transgender women from competing in the female Superliga.

The policy, which aligns with international standards from the IOC and FIVB, requires athletes in female categories to have been born with female biological sex. This rule prevents Tifanny from participating in the 2026/27 season, despite having already renewed her contract with Osasco.

During the Superliga launch event at the COB Expo in São Paulo, Tifanny expressed her frustration, stating, “It is as if I were a criminal, and I am not a criminal.” She described feeling a lack of empathy from the federation and noted that the change in event dynamics also prevented her team and sponsors from being properly recognized on stage.

Tifanny stated she intends to fight for her right to play, either through dialogue or legal action, expressing a desire to retire on her own terms rather than being forced out of the sport.