FIFPRO Launches Guide for Pregnant Players

FIFPRO has launched a comprehensive 'Postpartum Return to Play Guide' aimed at assisting female soccer players in managing pregnancy and postpartum challenges while maintaining their careers. The 48-page guide addresses the significant knowledge gap within professional soccer regarding players' rights, physical health, and nutritional needs during and after pregnancy. Developed by a task force of professional players and medical experts, the guide emphasizes the importance of support from clubs and offers a structured approach for athletes to return to high-performance training. Notably, AC Milan has recently set a precedent by guaranteeing contract renewals for players who become pregnant, highlighting an ongoing shift towards better maternal support in the sport. The initiative comes in light of FIFA's Maternity Regulations established in 2021, which aim to protect player rights but often lack consistent implementation across teams. Players have expressed that this guide is a necessary resource to ease the uncertainties surrounding motherhood and athletic performance.