AC Milan Is Making Post-Maternity Return Smoother For Women Footballers

The Italian football club 'AC Milan' has introduced a new maternity policy that has been all the rage among football fans across social media. The Club has promised to automatically extend the contracts for women “in the event of pregnancy during the final season” of their existing deals. AC Milan is reportedly the first elite club in Europe to revise its maternity policy to accommodate new mothers back into the team. The Club said the automatic extension would be for one year and on the same economic terms as the original contract. 

AC Milan Maternity Policy

AC Milan's new maternity policy reportedly involves a one-year renewal on the same wage to pregnant players and staff whose contracts end at the season's finals. It also includes improved childcare during working hours. The Club has been hailed for their step towards inclusivity and sensitivity to women's issues in sports.

AC MILAN’S NEW MATERNITY POLICY 🔴⚫️

Milan become first European club to guarantee automatic contract renewals for female players & staff if pregnant during final season of their contracts. Pushing this standard around maternity leave is an important step towards equality! 👏 pic.twitter.com/efEgliD5cl

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) August 2, 2024

Elisabet Spina, head of women’s football at Milan, told the BBC, “We are now about to start a new season in which we will work to achieve important goals, both on and off the field: We are excited to approach it by introducing our innovative policy.” The players have expressed delight over the strategic move. 

AC Milan Women's Captain Christy Grimshaw told the BBC, "The choice of being a mother or a player is one that definitely, in the past, a lot of women have had to make. To be granted this opportunity feels extra special. You might be in the last year of your contract and feel a little scared about becoming a mother. It's taking that choice away from us. We can feel comfortable."

Noting the struggle that many footballers faced in choosing between parenthood and their career, the Scottish-origin team leader said that the policy hopes to bring real change. "Becoming a mother as a woman is a beautiful thing. I'm hoping this is the start of something special in women's football and women's sport." 

AC Milan captain Christy Grimshaw has backed the club’s ground-breaking maternity policy. 🙌

They have become the first club in Europe to guarantee contract renewals for players who become pregnant in the final year of their deals. #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/8bjR3ke7x0

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 22, 2024

Grimshaw said that the Club hopes this step can bring a ripple of inclusivity for women across all sports. "A policy like this enables us to come back and perform [after giving birth]. I’d like to see a change in mindset... Hopefully, that can change. It's a step-by-step process. We are growing every day," the 28-year-old said.

As maternity in sports has become a popular topic of discussion lately, many sporting events and Clubs have been revising their policies to make the careers more supportive of new parents. The recent Olympics in Paris also introduced better child and maternity care facilities for new parents participating in the Games.