GENEVA – Female soccer players should soon get their maternity rights protected under new employment rules announced Thursday by FIFA.The governing body of soccer is preparing to mandate clubs to allow at least 14 weeks of maternity leave paid at a minimum two-thirds of a player’s full salary.
National soccer bodies can insist on more generous terms.“Her club will be under an obligation to reintegrate her into football activity and provide adequate ongoing medical support,” FIFA said.Any club that ended a player’s contract for becoming pregnant faces having to pay compensation and a fine, and being banned from the transfer market for one year.“The idea is to protect female players before, during and after childbirth,” FIFA chief legal.