FIFA unveiled changes to protocols for female players and coaches for during and after pregnancy, as well as in non-biological motherhood.
The regulations - approved unanimously by the FIFA Council earlier this month - include 14 weeks paid maternity leave extended to coaches, a stipulation previously only permitted to players. Players and coaches adopting a child are also entitled to eight weeks paid absence when the adopted child is younger than two.
The period of paid absence is reduced to four weeks for a child aged between two and four, and reduced further to two weeks for a child who is older than the age of four.
A minimum eight weeks' of paid family leave is now available for parents who are not the biological mother.
Further changes have been made in regards to player registration. Clubs are now permitted to sign players outside of a transfer window if a squad member has taken maternity, adoption or family leave, and players returning to football following leave can be registered outside the registration period.
Pregnant Stacey Solomon brands herself an 'old fogy' over NYE plans with Joe
Players will also be entitled to request absence from training or matches because of menstrual health reasons, while still receiving full pay.
The changes from football's world governing body will come into place from 1 June. They arrive at a time when the emotional and physical demands of women in elite sport have become subjects of fierce debate, particularly surrounding the balance of football and motherhood.
Alex Morgan joined Tottenham Hotspur in 2020 while attempting to return to full fitness following giving birth to her daughter, who joined her in north London (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes cited a need to spend more time with her son Harry as a critical reason in her decision to depart the Blues and take on the role as the new head coach of four-time world champions USA.
Meanwhile, ex-Aston Villa boss Carla Ward echoed Hayes' sentiments when citing her rationale for leaving the Midlands club, adding that she felt unable to balance family and football. Players such as Chelsea and Germany midfielder Melanie Leupolz has spoken out about the lack of support players in Europe receive upon becoming mothers.
In November 2022 Everton and England striker Toni Duggan told BBC Sport : "I don't think women's football is ready for women to be pregnant." A BBC Sport study released in March found that a third of British sportswomen surveyed said they had delayed starting a family because of their sporting career.
DON'T SCRAP REPLAYS!
and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
