“These are very good news”
Norway’s football issues unique pregnancy rule
Norway’s football issues unique pregnancy rule
02.04.2025, 4:05 p.m.
Individual clubs like the AC Milan already have such a rule, but in Norway all clubs have to stick to it for the first time: if a footballer is pregnant, she is entitled to an extension of the contract.
Norway’s football takes a big step in women’s rights with a unique innovation, which is unique in the world. In the highest division top series, players will automatically offer a contract extension by one year in the event of pregnancy.
“It should be certain for professional football players in Norway to get pregnant,” said league chief Marianne Solheim, emphasizing: “We want to create a work environment in which players do not have to choose between top football and their life decision.” It is a “historical” decision. In a league with a low average age, it is particularly important that young players have the experience that it is possible to think of both the career and the family.
The contract must be extended for the same references at the request of the player. The league -wide obligation comes into force if the footballer concerned is in the twelfth week of pregnancy before the end of her contract. The regulation represents a minimum level, the league said. The clubs are free to react even more flexibly if this is in the interests of the players.
“These are very good news,” said defense lawyer Cecilie Redisch Kvamme from runner -up Brann Bergen the newspaper “Verdens Gang”. At the start of the season on March 23, she ran against Rosenborg Trondheim after becoming a daughter’s mother shortly before Christmas. KVAMMEN hopes that the regulation will make it possible for the players longer careers.
Clubs like Master Valerenga IF or Rosenborg had already introduced a corresponding regulation before the General League Ordinance. The Italian top club AC Milan has also been a pioneer here since August 2024. In December, the German Football Association strengthened the rights of mothers and pregnant players and joined the global minimum standard of the World Association FIFA, which increases working conditions.
