FIFA has been listening to the concerns of women in the game and, following thorough discussions with key stakeholders and a prior set of landmark reforms, has moved to further safeguard their well-being by implementing changes to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP), which shall come into effect on June 1, 2024.
“One of our key objectives in women’s football is to see more women around the world being able to make a living playing the sport that they love and, in order to do that, we need to make sure that they are protected in doing that. And for women, especially those who want to be mothers or to start a family, to adopt children, it’s important that they are able to do that without having to give up – or have a negative impact on – their footballing career,” said Sarai Bareman, the FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer.
The changes approved by the FIFA Council in May 2024, will extend the rights and protections to adoptive parents as well as non-biological mothers.
“I think it’s great! I, myself, am a mother to four children, and back when I got pregnant, I have to say that PSG looked after me really well, they still paid me a hundred per cent of my income. Unfortunately, some other players did not experience this, so I appreciate very much FIFA getting involved to protect pregnant women so that they can have a good feeling,” said Fatmire Alushi, the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner.
They will also acknowledge the physical, psychological, and social dimensions in the event of an inability to provide employment services due to severe menstruation or medical complications relating to pregnancy.
Additionally, member associations will be encouraged to permit female players contact with their families while on international duty. These measures also acknowledge that women have different biological compositions.