Babies and Football: Why We Can't Have Both?

AC Milan captain Christy Grimshaw says players “now don’t have to make a choice” between being a mother or a footballer after the club introduced a ground-breaking maternity policy.

The Italian giants have become the first club in Europe to guarantee contract renewals for players who become pregnant in the final year of their deals.

Players will also receive help with childcare and expenses for their children and a companion.

“The choice of being a mother or a player is one that definitely, in the past, a lot of women have had to make,” Scotland international Grimshaw told BBC Sport.

“To be granted this opportunity feels extra special. You might be in the last year of your contract and feel a little scared about becoming a mother. It’s taking that choice away from us. We can feel comfortable.

“Becoming a mother as a woman is a beautiful thing. I’m hoping this is the start of something special in women’s football and women’s sport.”

The policy from AC Milan was led by head of women’s football Elisabet Spina and comes amid a push for improved rights for players across the game, with Fifa launching new standards to protect pregnant female footballers in May.

“As a huge club, we have the responsibility to try to develop women’s football. That’s why every year we invest in a dedicated project,” Spina told BBC Sport.

“I hope this project in particular can help not only women’s football improve, but women’s sport and female professionals.”