For women, a career in soccer shouldn't mean choosing between motherhood and the game they love. With this in mind, FIFA has acted on athlete concerns and implemented more inclusive and supportive policies to better the game for everyone — especially when it comes to pregnancy and menstruation.
Starting Saturday, female players and coaches will be granted a minimum of 14 weeks paid maternity leave. Previously, this option was offered only to players.
Additionally, there will be a minimum of eight weeks' paid absence granted to a female player or coach when adopting a child under the age of two, which aims to support non-biological motherhood. This family leave is also available for a female player or coach other than the biological mother following the birth of the child.
FIFA has also made changes to player registration. Starting Saturday, clubs will be allowed to sign players outside a transfer window if an athlete has taken maternity, adoption or family leave.
Players will also be able to request absence from training or matches due to menstrual-health reasons, while still receiving full pay.
The changes were approved by the FIFA council in May, and were officially announced on Friday.
When speaking about the policy changes implemented by FIFA, former U.S. head coach and two-time World Cup winner Jill Ellis was over the moon.
"It’s a big statement. These are big steps and big strides to really normalize the life that we go through as women," she said, according to a story on FIFA's website. "That’s what we want to provide now at every level — the opportunity for professional players to have the chance to be moms."
FIFA chief legal and compliance officer Emilio García Silvero further acknowledged that the organization is committed to pursuing suitable conditions for female players and coaches.
“In order for the game to further flourish, it’s absolutely key that we have a holistic approach towards player well-being, including the legal aspects," he said, according to the FIFA story.
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