Pregnancy protections: German league club leaders in innovative measures
TSG Hoffenheim, a Bundesliga football club, establishes a remarkable precedent by granting its players the unilateral right to extend their contracts for at least a year under the same economic conditions in the event of pregnancy, ensuring them planning security. This move marks a novelty in German women's football.
In a statement, TSG women's chief, Ralf Zwanziger, explained, "As a club, this move aligns with our values, as more and more professional footballers are deciding to start families during their active careers. This will undoubtedly gain significance for us in the future."
Elsewhere, AC Milan and clubs in Norway have already implemented supportive measures for players planning families. In the USA, club officials are addressing maternity leave issues, with collective bargaining agreements for professional players and childcare subsidies.
TSG's managing director, Markus Schütz, noted, "This contract extension option enables our players to focus on their families without compromising their professional future. With this regulation, TSG is bridging the gap between FIFA guidelines, DFB implementations, and the reality of female footballers."
The initiative received praise from the Football Can Do More (FKM) initiative and its advisory board member Almuth Schult. Schult, a former national team goalkeeper and mother, lauded TSG's move, stating, "This provides players with the security and support they desire. The club's emphasis on the importance of mothers in sports and the need for change is commendable. I hope many clubs follow TSG's example."
In the wider football community, clubs like Olympique Lyonnais, West Ham United F.C., and the broader football community, guided by FIFPRO, have been advocating for more supportive measures for players expecting children. While not all clubs have clearly detailed their supportive measures, the trend towards more inclusive and supportive policies for these players is evident.
[1] FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber ruling on Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir's case (https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/administrative/18-07-2017/decision-on-fila-v-olympique-lyonnais-f%C3%A9minine-157624.pdf)[2] West Ham United F.C.'s EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) initiatives (https://www.whufc.com/club/equality-diversity-and-inclusion)
- The sports world is undergoing a transformation, as TSG Hoffenheim, a renowned Bundesliga football club, sets a notable precedent by offering players an extended contract option during pregnancy, which aligns with the values of health-and-wellness and family health.
- Across Europe, clubs like AC Milan and those in Norway have already taken steps to support players planning families, while in the USA, club officials are addressing maternity leave issues and providing childcare subsidies, underlining the importance of women's health and parenting.
- TSG's managing director, Markus Schütz, stated that the contract extension option would allow players to focus on their families without jeopardizing their professional future, bridging the gap between FIFA guidelines, DFB implementations, and the reality of female footballers.
- Olympic Lyonnais, West Ham United F.C., and broader football community, driven by FIFPRO, have been advocating for more supportive measures for players expecting children, hoping that more clubs will follow TSG's example in prioritizing health-and-wellness, family health, and women's health within sports.
