The year 2024 marks a turning point for women’s football with FIFA’s recent amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. These changes, which come into effect on 1 June 2024, highlight FIFA’s commitment to listening to and addressing the concerns of women involved in football.
Protecting female players and improving their living and working conditions are key priorities for the development of women’s football globally. FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman highlights the importance of enabling women to combine their sporting careers with their desire to start a family. These latest amendments aim to provide more safeguards for adoptive parents as well as non-biological mothers, thereby enabling all female players to move forward with confidence in their professional and personal lives.
These changes are not limited to the protection of pregnant women, but also recognise the physical, psychological and social dimensions of being unable to provide employment services due to pregnancy-related health issues. Furthermore, Member Associations will be encouraged to allow players to maintain contact with their families while on international duty, thus taking into account the specific needs of female players.
This major evolution of FIFA’s regulations demonstrates an awareness of the biological specificities and challenges that female footballers may face. The new rules demonstrate a desire to make women’s football more inclusive, fair and respectful of players, thereby helping to promote a culture of respect and equality in the sport.
Ultimately, these reforms mark a significant step towards better recognition and protection of women’s rights in football, paving the way for a more inclusive and fair future for all professionals and fans of this exciting sport.