AC Milan management has announced a groundbreaking maternity policy aimed at ensuring safety for female players and staff throughout pregnancy.

Recently, AC Milan has become the first football club to implement a special policy exclusively for female players and staff.

Specifically, the Rossoneri have introduced a series of protective measures during pregnancy and the early stages of child-rearing, surpassing existing regulations for female players and staff.

One of the protections AC Milan will provide is the automatic extension of contracts by one year. If a player’s contract is set to end during the season in which they start their pregnancy, they will receive the same financial terms from that contract.

Additionally, the club will offer childcare services during sporting events. This includes suitable accommodation costs, other travel expenses, and support for the player’s child during flights if the player is pregnant or the sole guardian, along with one accompanying person.

During the announcement of these protective measures, Giorgio Furlani, AC Milan’s CEO, stated: “We are proud to introduce such an important project, once again demonstrating AC Milan’s commitment to all members of the Rossoneri family.

We hope this new step will be a driving force for the development of the entire club, setting an example both nationally and internationally, ensuring that the world of football becomes an environment where everyone can freely make important personal decisions.”

AC Milan’s female players will continue to benefit from maternity-related rights and return-to-play standards according to FIFA, the Italian Football Association agreements, and club regulations. Additionally, the San Siro-based team will provide services from nutritionists, physiotherapists, and educational psychologists. The club may also invite external experts if necessary to support the players.

This can be seen as a breakthrough in bridging the gap in treatment between men and women, which has been seen as unequal in many sports. AC Milan is leading the way with special policies for female players and staff, and it is expected that many other clubs will follow suit in the near future.