The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has introduced a pioneering initiative aimed at supporting the reproductive health of female footballers and referees. Under a new agreement with the Tambre clinic, which remains in effect until 2029, the federation will cover the full cost of egg-freezing procedures and provide additional benefits for various fertility treatments. This program is specifically available to international players who have received at least two call-ups to the national squad.
Reyes Bellver Alonso, the RFEF’s director of women’s football, emphasized that the initiative is intended to provide athletes with more options, ensuring that a professional sporting career does not force them to abandon the possibility of motherhood. She noted that the federation has already made significant strides in safeguarding maternity rights, including the removal of anti-pregnancy clauses from contracts and the implementation of policies that allow mothers to have their children present during training camps, tournaments, and away fixtures.
During the announcement, Spain internationals Olga Carmona and Patri Guijarro expressed their support for the deal. “We are very happy to have reached this agreement, to have one more option to decide how and when to choose to become a mother,” Carmona stated. Guijarro highlighted that the measure is a critical component of a broader, long-term effort to improve work-life balance for female athletes. “Ultimately, it’s a very positive agreement because it’s true that for all these years we’ve been fighting to achieve a better work-life balance for mothers,” she added, noting that athletes should not feel compelled to choose between their personal lives and their professional ambitions.
Bellver Alonso defended the move against potential criticism, arguing that the focus should remain on the progress made in protecting women’s rights within the sport. “If there is one area where work has been done on maternity rights, the protection of women, the protection of contracts and work-life balance in women’s sport, it is football,” she said. She further remarked that the ongoing public discourse regarding motherhood and career balance is beneficial, as it helps elevate the profile of these issues across other professional sectors.
Despite the RFEF’s framing of the policy as a supportive measure, the announcement has sparked debate among equality advocates and labor organizations. Some critics have cautioned that such fertility initiatives should not be viewed as a substitute for robust workplace protections for pregnant athletes. Notably, Olympic bronze medallist and triple jumper Ana Peleteiro publicly criticized the measure on social media, labeling it “deeply sexist.” Additionally, the CCOO trade union has urged the federation to maintain a primary focus on ensuring comprehensive protections for pregnancy and work-life balance during active competition. The report also notes that “In the case of being able to have a career whilst being a mother, work-life balance measures are now being put in place; we feel we’ve been listened to.
