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AC Milan captain Christy Grimshaw has lauded the club’s new maternity policy, which allows female players to balance motherhood and their football careers without fear of losing their contracts. The Italian club has become the first in Europe to guarantee contract renewals for players who become pregnant in the final year of their deals, marking a significant step forward in women’s football.
Grimshaw, a Scotland international, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that women in the sport previously faced difficult choices between starting a family and continuing their careers. “The choice of being a mother or a player is one that definitely, in the past, a lot of women have had to make,” she told BBC Sport. “To be granted this opportunity feels extra special… We can feel comfortable.”
The policy, spearheaded by Elisabet Spina, AC Milan’s head of women’s football, ensures that players receive support with childcare and expenses, as well as a companion during their maternity journey. This initiative aligns with FIFA’s recent efforts to enhance rights for pregnant female footballers, underscoring the growing push for better protections across the sport.
“As a huge club, we have the responsibility to try to develop women’s football,” Spina explained. “I hope this project in particular can help not only women’s football improve, but women’s sport and female professionals.”
AC Milan’s proactive approach aims to change the culture in women’s sports by setting a precedent for other clubs. “It is late in a way, but we are happy to be the first that thinks of something like this and to try to change things,” Spina added.
The club’s consultation with players from the first team and academy, through surveys and discussions, played a crucial role in shaping the policy. Spina, the only female head of football in Italy’s top division, believes her presence in this position of influence was instrumental in driving the project forward.
Grimshaw, who was named AC Milan captain earlier this summer, expressed pride in the club’s commitment to equality and inclusivity. “Women should never be put off about being a mother. It’s really special, and it should always feel that way,” she said.
Looking ahead, Grimshaw hopes that this policy will not only encourage other clubs to adopt similar measures but also lead to a broader change in attitudes toward motherhood in women’s sports. “A policy like this enables us to come back and perform [after giving birth]. I’d like to see a change in mindset,” she remarked. “We can have a baby, come back and be as strong as we were before, compete in major events—and not just in women’s football but every sport.”
