New FIFA rules as a door opener
Kitschy comeback from DFB star delights Wolfsburg
September 26, 2024, 7:19 a.m
It’s a story that only women’s football can write. National player Sellner only received her permission to play shortly before the qualifying game for the premier class against Florence. For the first time since May 2023 she is on the pitch after pregnancy and birth and scores straight away.
Five months after the birth of her first child, national soccer player Tabea Sellner celebrated a successful comeback for VfL Wolfsburg. The 28-year-old scored the fifth goal in the 5-0 (2-0) win against AC Fiorentina on Wednesday evening just nine minutes after coming on as a substitute.
“It’s so special that I get to experience this. I can’t say more than: thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone,” said the 28-year-old. Thanks to this clear success, the Wolfsburg women qualified for the group phase of the Champions League.
“It’s almost cheesy how it went,” said VfL coach Tommy Stroot. “I’m really proud of Tabs. She’s back much quicker than we all expected.” Sellner, who was known by her birth name Tabea Waßmuth, last played for VfL in May 2023. In April of this year she gave birth to her son Paul. Since then, she has been committed to greater acceptance and tolerance of breastfeeding mothers in public.
New FIFA rules make everything much easier
The 28-year-old’s quick comeback was also favored by the new rules of the world association FIFA, which, among other things, allow mothers in women’s football paid maternity leave, changing clubs outside of transfer deadlines and simplified playing permits.
“It was really a last-minute decision yesterday in the final training session,” explained Stroot. “The question was: can we get this implemented at all because Tabs wasn’t on the Champions League list last week. After returning from pregnancy, there is the option of adding her. It all happened last night.”
After a 7-0 win in the first leg, the Wolves, winners of the 2013 and 2014 Champions League, completed their return to the premier class after a year’s absence. In addition to the Mittellandkanal team, German champions Bayern Munich will also be present at the draw for the four groups of four in the group phase this Friday.
