Parento’s Post

Career Continuity and Security: One of the significant benefits of this policy is the security it provides to female athletes and coaches. In a profession where physical fitness and continuous training are crucial, taking time off for maternity can often jeopardize an athlete's career. The assurance of paid leave means that these women can take the necessary time to recover and bond with their new child without the added stress of financial instability or the fear of losing their professional standing. By including 8 weeks of paid leave for adoption, FIFA recognizes the diverse ways families are formed. Adoption can be as demanding as biological childbirth, requiring time for parents to bond with their adopted child and integrate them into their family. This policy ensures that adoptive parents are given the same support and recognition as biological parents In the long term, this initiative has the potential to transform the sports industry by normalizing maternity leave and making it an integral part of career planning for female athletes. It helps dismantle the stigma associated with pregnancy in sports, fostering an environment where female athletes can thrive without facing discrimination or career setbacks due to their family choices. In conclusion, FIFA's policy on maternity and adoption leave is a progressive and much-needed initiative that supports female athletes and coaches, promotes gender equality, and sets a new benchmark for the sports industry and beyond. This comprehensive approach ensures that women can achieve their professional goals while embracing motherhood, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and supportive sporting environment.

People will say that women’s sports isn’t making progress… And look, there’s no hiding that female sports are far behind men. But when things like the recent changes from FIFA happen, it’s hard to argue that progress isn’t being made. FIFIA has now introduced a historic change to rules in the women’s game… As of June 1st: 🔥 Players have a minimum of 14 days of paid maternity leave 🔥 Family-friendly spaces are being developed for players with children 🔥 Players can miss training or matches due to menstrual health reasons (and be paid) All HUGE advancements for women’s football. Advancements that are changing the issues women have been facing within the sport. And I for one, LOVE to see it 🙌🏾

Earlier this summer FIFA issued an amendment to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, to include "Special Provisions Relating to Female Players." My latest blog discusses the regulations relating to employment (player and coach) contracts. Specifically, the regulations protecting players and coaches who are pregnant or adopt a child. A few highlights from the blog: Per FIFA: ⚽ An employment contract cannot hinge upon an individual taking a prengancy test. ⚽ An employment (player/coach) contract cannot be terminated if the individual becomes (1) pregnant, (2) takes maternity leave (as defined by FIFA), (3) adoption leave (as defined by FIFA), or (4) family leave (as defined by FIFA). ⚽ Clubs that terminate a contract or fail to hire an individual based on pregnancy or leave are subject to sanctions from FIFA. Per the regulations, FIFA can ban the Club from registering new players for 2 consecutive registration periods. 💡 US Clubs must ensure that they are operating in accordance with US Federal law and applicable state laws. However, they should be aware that they may be subject to sanctions from FIFA should they not adhere to the FIFA regs as well. Clubs could be exposed to causes of action under US Law, and face disciplinary measures from FIFA. Check out my blog to learn more! #soccer #football #law #FIFA #womenssports #womeninsport #newyork #nyc #ny #philly

FIFA has announced new regulations for female players and coaches. Female coaches worldwide will now benefit from the existing maternity leave and pay entitlements for female players, and complementary entitlements for adoption leave and leave for non-biological mothers have also been introduced. Further protections include full pay for female players while absent from training due to menstrual problems. We take a look at these new protections in the context of the existing English framework.   

We marvel at the rise of women’s sports but we so rarely speak about the injustices they endure to break the barriers to get there. I was saddened to hear how 3 prominent players of the Argentina’s women’s football team left to protest the unfair treatment they endure, and from what I imagine, what many other women athletes endure too. From: ❌ Lack of meals during training ❌ No payment for friendly, exhibition games ❌ No transportation support to reach practices (despite low wages) ❌ No free tickets for family members ❌ Unpaid bonuses … and the list goes on. So my next questions posed are: ❓ Is it worth creating and supporting women’s teams when the full support for adequate care & pay isn’t given? ❓ What can be done to drive more finances and support for more sustainable women’s sports clubs? #GenderEquality #WomenInFootball #WomensFootball #Football

Take a look at our latest article exploring FIFA’s updated maternity policies #womeninsport

Exciting update from CAS! The latest reshare of Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey reveals a 1.3% increase in active adults since 2015/16, totalling two million more participants. Sport England is also making new funding available to tackle major differences between demographic groups and places. Read the full article here | bit.ly/3wcUL9s #SportforAll #ActiveLives #PhysicalActivity #Inclusion Sport England

The latest article in our Women’s Sports series summarises the recent amendments to FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) in respect of female players and coaches. These provisions, which are binding at national level and must be included without modification in the regulations of football associations, expand the protections and support for women in football.

The rising cost of youth sports is debilitating. A survey was conducted by the Commission on the State of U.S. Olympics and Paralympics, with half of the respondents who played youth sports or who have children who have played saying they have struggled to afford the costs to participate.The issue impacts a broad range of Americans of all backgrounds, but Latino/a families felt it most. How can we locally and nationally change our pay-to-play model? #YouthSports #EquityInSports #PayToPlayCosts #PositiveCoaching #PCAProud

Happy International Women’s Day! As we honor the achievements of women around the world @afrisportsconsultancy join hands with FIFA’s commitment to protection and promotion of all human rights and fighting all forms of discrimination, at all levels including women football in Africa. Article 27 of the CAF’s Men Club Licensing Regulations made it mandatory to clubs participating in CAF inter-clubs’ competition to either have an active women team or enter into a partnership with an existing women club as means to promote growth and development of women football in the region. The development of women football in Africa have also been facing significant barriers. At different occasions some female players have been denied access to participate in CAF competitions on alleged basis of hormonal imbalance. Such decisions have no legal basis as FIFA Regulations on Gender Verification of 2011 did not set any limit of hormones for a female player to be eligible in women competitions. To all women may you continue to break barriers and defy stereotypes. Happy Women’s Day! #womenday #womenfootball #africanwomen