Aleksander Ceferin: “This is an important milestone but we are already looking towards the next steps”
MADRID, 2 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
UEFA has launched a framework of minimum standards for women’s teams in Europe, whose federations will receive from the European entity a total pot of 22 million euros to adapt to this new regulation, which seeks to ensure “equality” of conditions between the teams. different national teams.
“The framework is the result of extensive consultation with players, coaches, associations and FIFPro Europe on equal conditions for European national teams, on and off the field of play,” UEFA explains in a statement.
With this new common regulation, the European body aims to take an important step towards equal conditions for women’s football players throughout Europe, by introducing for the first time a framework of minimum standards for women’s national teams.
A framework that establishes a series of rules ranging from provisions relating to sport, good governance, coaching, medical care, training, welfare, accommodation and remuneration of players, after “extensive consultations” with players, coaches and FIFPRO Europe.
“Today’s announcement marks the culmination of our five-year strategy for women’s football, ‘Time for Action’, said UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. “While this is an important milestone, we are already looking ahead to the next Steps. As we move forward, UEFA remains fully dedicated to supporting our member associations and empowering female players,” Ceferin noted.
UEFA will help its members develop implementation plans tailored to their specific challenges to meet the minimum standards. Additionally, the framework will be supported through UEFA’s ‘HatTrick’ Incentive Programme, with a total pot of €22 million available to national associations until 2028 (€100,000 per national association per year).
These minimum standards include: having a full-time coach with a UEFA Pro License (or equivalent qualification) available from the national association, a minimum of one team doctor/two physiotherapists at all matches and training sessions, travel as direct as possible to the matches and high-quality accommodation close to training/match venues.
In addition, there must be access to national training facilities, including elite equipment and professionally maintained fields, and there must be agreement between the players and the association on remuneration, paternity and pregnancy policies and anti-discrimination.
This program is the latest in a series of UEFA strategic initiatives designed to grow, develop and support women’s national team football. These include the introduction of a new competition system, consisting of the UEFA Nations League and European qualification.
Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan, one of 35 national team captains consulted to develop this initiative, shared her enthusiasm. “Establishing minimum standards will make a significant difference for players across Europe in all aspects of national team football. Having a platform to discuss with other players and coaches has been a positive and enriching experience,” she said.
“This project is important and is a starting point to raise the bar for all women’s national teams,” added Nadine Kessler, UEFA general director for women’s football. “Having the best possible conditions on and off the field is absolutely vital for players to perform and, in return, bring success to their national teams,” she added.