Spanish federation to subsidise egg-freezing for top women footballers
The Royal Spanish Football Federation is close to a deal with a fertility clinic that would fund egg-freezing for members of the Spain women’s national team.
Spain’s football governing body is negotiating with a fertility clinic to cover egg vitrification for the women’s national squad, aiming to let players delay motherhood while staying competitive. Alexia Putellas, a former captain, confirmed that team leaders had discussed the matter with the federation and supported the initiative. Specialists such as sports-medicine doctor Eva Ferrer warn that ovarian stimulation can impact joints and soft tissue, requiring training adjustments and anti-doping clearance via a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Gynecologist Rebeca Beguería added that recovery after the procedure may temporarily reduce one outlet performance and increase injury risk. The proposal also exposes the absence of explicit FIFA or UEFA regulations on fertility treatments, leaving the World Anti-Doping Agency’s guidelines as the primary reference.
Why it matters
It could set a precedent for how professional sports support female athletes’ reproductive choices.
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