The world governing body of football, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has implemented new measures to enhance protections for female footballers and coaches during and after pregnancy, as well as in non-biological motherhood scenarios.
The updates include a minimum of 14 weeks of paid maternity leave for coaches, expanding a policy that previously only applied to players. For those choosing to adopt, players and coaches will receive leave based on the child’s age, and family leave is now available for parents who are not the biological mother.
Changes also allow clubs to sign players outside of the transfer window if a squad member has taken maternity, adoption, or family leave. Additionally, players can request absence from training or matches due to menstrual health reasons while still receiving full pay.
These changes, approved by the FIFA council in May, will take effect from 1 June.
In April, BBC Sport interviewed several Women’s Super League players and coaches about the challenges they face regarding motherhood.
Chelsea and Germany midfielder Melanie Leupolz said: “You hear of many bad stories in Europe of players who didn’t get support at all.
“It’s just understanding the support around football. It’s not what happens on the pitch. We are footballers that have to compete – and that shouldn’t change.”
In May, BBC Sport disclosed that clubs would receive guidelines from FifPro before the new season to support players returning after childbirth.
These guidelines will address various topics, including fitness, nutrition, and childcare.
On the latest changes introduced by Fifa, former USA head coach and two-time World Cup winner Jill Ellis said: “It’s a big statement.
“These are big steps and big strides to really normalise the life that we go through as women.
“That’s what we want to provide now at every level – the opportunity for professional players to have the chance to be mums.”
A PFA spokesperson said: “These new measures have been heavily influenced by feedback from national player unions, FifPro and our members, so this is a welcome and positive step in the right direction.
“However, it’s important that there continues to be a collective effort to improve the rights and conditions of players in the women’s game so that elite athletes are also able to thrive as working mothers.
“That’s as much about the culture we create within the game as it is about the rules and regulations.”
A breakdown of Fifa’s changes
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Maternity leave: Players and coaches will receive a minimum of 14 weeks’ paid absence.
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Adoption leave: Players and coaches will receive a minimum of eight weeks’ paid absence if an adopted child is younger than two years old. That period of paid absence is reduced to four weeks for a child aged between two and four. It is reduced further to two weeks for a child who is older than the age of four.
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Family leave: A minimum of eight weeks’ paid absence is granted to female players or coaches other than the biological mother.
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Clubs can register a player outside the registration period to temporarily replace another player during maternity, adoption or family leave.
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Players returning to football following leave can be registered outside the registration period.
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Players can request absence from training or matches due to menstrual health reasons while still receiving full remuneration.
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Clubs are encouraged to provide a family-friendly environment.