Milan have made history as the first European football club to guarantee a one-year contract extension to pregnant players, along with improved childcare support.
The new policy was formally announced this week and is already expected to set a new standard for the care of pregnant female athletes in the sport.
Notably, it also covers female staff, providing protections both during pregnancy and early childhood that go beyond the current regulations.
The statement from the club confirms it aims to “support female players and professionals making up the technical staff during their development journey, not just in their professional growth, by creating an environment that enables them to make significant life choices.”
The most notable element is an automatic one-year contract renewal at the same salary for players if their deal was set to expire during the season in which the pregnancy began.
Something that more clubs will probably begin to do is cover assistance for childcare during sports activities and support for flights, accommodation and other travel expenses for the child and one companion.
Milan point the way for future of female athletes
“We are proud to present such an important project, which once again demonstrates AC Milan’s attention towards relevant matters for all the people of the Rossoneri family,” said CEO Giorgio Furlani.
“We want this new step to be a further motivation for growth and development for the entire Club, becoming a model to follow, at a national and international level, ensuring that the world of football increasingly becomes an environment where everyone can feel free to make important personal decisions.”
The current rules stipulated by FIFA guidelines and AIC (Italian Players’ Association) collective agreements already provide some protections related to pregnancy, mandatory remuneration and a return to activity.
Milan only set up their women’s team in the 2018-19 season.