Spanish federation to fund egg-freezing for elite women footballers
The RFEF will cover egg-freezing costs for top Spanish female players as it finalises a deal with a fertility clinic.
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is set to sign an agreement with a fertility clinic that will fund egg-freezing for its leading women’s-team players, giving them the option to delay pregnancy until their careers end. Expected to be finalised later this month, the scheme joins a broader European trend, with UEFA having introduced a similar policy earlier and clubs like Chelsea and the England PFA striking comparable deals in 2026.
It complements a suite of measures introduced since 2025, including mandatory breastfeeding rooms in Liga F facilities, automatic one-year contract renewals for players who become pregnant in their final season, childcare provision until the child turns three, and specialist medical support during and after pregnancy. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas described the policy as “enormous progress,” while Marta Perarnau, president of the players’ union FUTPRO, warned that returning to competition after motherhood remains challenging due to a lack of scientific studies and recovery protocols. The move aims to ease the career-family conflict that many female footballers face.
Why it matters
It helps Spanish women footballers balance elite sport with family planning by removing a major career obstacle.
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