Due to an important and historic contract change, English football players are now entitled to maternity and illness cover. It is the first time in history that players from the 24 clubs in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship have received such coverage. The contract amendment has been approved by the FA and PFA. Previously, maternity cover was a matter for the clubs.
Marie-Christine Bouchier, the PFA’s director of women’s football, is pleased with the change. “Over the past 16 months, the PFA has been working with the FA to address the significant differences between the contractual rights and obligations of male and female players in English club football,” she said. “We are pleased to confirm that, following these negotiations, the FA Board has recently agreed to three major policy changes related to maternity care, injury and illness and termination of long-term injuries.”
During a parliamentary debate on women’s football, Julie Elliott, the MP for Sunderland Central, said on Wednesday that the change being implemented is “a huge step forward”. “The issue of maternity rights for players has a huge impact on their lives,” Elliott said. “In a survey conducted last year, players said they need longer contracts so that they can feel more secure. They should not think that they can only have a baby on a four-year contract.”
The FA said in March 2020 that maternity provisions are not part of the standard player contract, as drawn up in consultation with the PFA. Until recently, maternity arrangements were the responsibility of the clubs. FIFA announced in 2020 that it would introduce a series of rights for contracted players worldwide, with measures that would result in clubs facing fines and transfer bans if they discriminated against players during pregnancy. However, those proposals were criticized for not going far enough.
“We’ve all seen how long it took Alex Morgan, one of the best players in the world with probably the best people around her,” Watford striker Helen Ward said at the time. “You have to remember that everyone else needs the same, if not more. It is a difficult subject and requires hard work.” Morgan, whose daughter Charlie was born in May 2020, was one of the players who pushed for better contractual arrangements. “I am extremely proud of everyone who has worked so hard to get to this point,” said Elliott.