FIFA comes under a lot of fire for the things it does, doesn’t do, those in charge past and present, circumnavigating national laws—or ignoring them altogether—the treatment of players and fans, being beholden to money, skirting racial issues, and essentially being a law unto itself. However, every now and then it does something remarkable, and even more so (considering past sexist comments) when that something is in the women’s game.
From 1 June 2024, it was mandated that all female players and coaches were to receive maternity pay, and, on top of that, where applicable, new adoption pay. That pay was set at two-thirds of contracted salary for no less than eight weeks.
Most of the world would look at this and consider it the absolute bare minimum—and they have a point—but there is one provision in this new law that is surprising, considering this is FIFA.
The governing body of football across the globe states that this law trumps national law where provisions do not at the very least match. That is to say, if Country A does not offer maternity pay, or only, say, for two weeks, the FIFA law takes precedence. Should a country have its own (more beneficial) laws, then those will apply instead.
Additionally, during pregnancy, all players will be afforded time off, with pay, for appointments and any complications that arise. There is also time off with full pay during menstrual cycles, as and when necessary. All of this is staggering considering how badly some countries treat their female workers, especially in relation to pregnancy.
Does it go far enough? Possibly not. But it does even protect women from having their contracts ended during pregnancy, and if it did happen, the club would be fined and barred from any and all transfer activity.
However, AC Milan have gone one step further and, in so doing, they have become the first major elite European club to implement extra protection. Any player whose contract is due to expire during the year the pregnancy begins will immediately be given a one-year extension on the same terms, along with additional child support in whatever form is necessary—be it accommodation, travel, or otherwise—plus the inclusion of one extra companion, whether a spouse or otherwise.
Naturally, all of these rules are complicated, and a full analysis can be found on FIFA’s website (and AC Milan’s), but this is unequivocally a huge step in the right direction. It should not only be lauded, but should also make a few countries very ashamed about their own practices.
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