Almost half of female footballers considering retiring early, players’ union survey shows

Almost half of female footballers are considering leaving the sport because of financial concerns or psychological stress, and 57% have struggled with their mental health, according to a report highlighting the working conditions for players worldwide.

About 800 players were surveyed by the global players’ union, Fifpro, for the report, which found that average club wages have tripled in the women’s game since 2017 but also raised concerns about the gulf in pay and the support provided to players. Fifpro said “average pay is not significantly higher than national minimum wage levels” in many regions.

The report, entitled Working Conditions in Women’s Football , heard that 49% of players were considering leaving football earlier than planned. Of those more than half cited financial reasons and 46% pointed to psychological stress as the reason.

Only 56% of players surveyed had an individual employment contract, and only 13% receive a club pension. The average contract length has risen from 12 months in 2017 to 19 months, but financial uncertainty remains for players. The average monthly wage of those surveyed – nearly half of whom play for their countries, and over half of whom have a university degree – was $2,601 (£1,966), but that is inflated by a small proportion of much higher earners. The median monthly salary was only $1,669 (£1,261). Only 76% of players said they were always paid fully and on time and 5% had experienced delays of more than three months to be paid.

“Away from the best-resourced clubs, there is a recurring theme of precarity and fragile conditions,” Fifpro’s director of women’s football, Alex Culvin, said. “The women’s football industry has come a long way, [but] for the rest of the industry, there is a hell of a long way to go.

“The professionalisation of women’s football is accelerating in some parts of the world and, as our report highlights, revenues are increasing. However, the progress and benefits are not evenly distributed among players across the world.

“At the most basic level, regulatory and policy intervention is required to ensure that players in some countries are not left behind – a rising tide lifts all boats. These interventions should focus on salary, facilities, staffing, performance and health of players. Resource allocation and access are key to a thriving employment market. This is not just about players earning enough to make a living from football but also making sure they have a safe and stable environment.”

The players were asked whether their club employed enough staff to fulfil players’ needs, and 47% said no.

The former England and Chelsea defender Millie Bright – who, when she ended her highly decorated career in April said: “I’ve given all I can” – told Fifpro’s media channels that creating an environment where players can ask for help with their mental health without judgment was essential.

“You’re a little bit embarrassed to say that you’re struggling a little bit, so you just hide it and just keep playing,” she said. “A big thing for me in mental health is the environment and the culture. To have a positive impact, it needs consistency and daily behaviours.”