Spain to pay for egg freezing for women footballers and referees

The Royal Spanish Football Federation has started a new support programme for female footballers and referees. This programme helps eligible athletes get treatments like in-vitro fertilisation and egg freezing.

On Tuesday, the federation announced this plan after agreeing with Tambre clinic. They called it a groundbreaking move to give women in top football more choices about when to become mothers.

Spain national team players Olga Carmona and Patri Guijarro were present at the announcement and praised the new initiative.

"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 said.

Guijarro added that the programme is part of broader efforts to balance professional careers and motherhood.

"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," Guijarro said.

Reyes Bellver Alonso, the RFEF’s director of women’s football, stated that the federation will pay for the full cost of egg-freezing treatment for all international players who have been called up at least twice.

The deal with Tambre will last until 2029, and other benefits will be available based on the treatment chosen.

Bellver Alonso explained that the initiative does not aim to stop players from having children while still competing. She said it is meant to offer another choice for athletes who might feel they need to delay motherhood because of their sports careers.

The RFEF also highlighted existing support for footballers who become mothers. This includes allowing players to have their children close during away matches, training camps, and tournaments.

But Reuters reports that some labour and equality groups in Spain have criticized the announcement. They argue that fertility treatment should not replace stronger workplace protections for pregnant athletes and mothers.