Many female soccer players run the risk of having difficulty sustaining themselves as a result of the sport having stopped during the corona pandemic, Fifpro writes in the report released on Thursday.

Therefore, targeted efforts are needed to avoid serious consequences for women's football in general, they write.

"The current situation is likely to lead to an almost existential threat to women's sports if measures are not taken to protect women's soccer," it says.

Lower salaries

The fact that the women's side of the sport is particularly exposed is due to several things: less established leagues, lower wages, worse employment conditions and unequal sponsorship contracts. For example, the average player contract on the ladies' side extends over twelve months, and many lack protection for lost income if seasons are canceled.

"The short contract lengths, the lack of health insurance and the lack of basic employment protection and rights mean that many women players risk not being able to support themselves," it says.

The conclusion of the report is that women's soccer players must be protected, and that responsibility lies with everything from companies, authorities and unions to rights holders and sponsors.

"The ultimate goal must be to not only limit the damage but also to build a more stable foundation."