Women in Football: AIFF Adopts Welfare Reforms Following FIFA Amendments

Following FIFA’s 2024 landmark amendments to the Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players to further protect the well-being of female players and coaches, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has now updated its own regulations.

The amended AIFF Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players came into effect on June 1, 2025, marking a significant step towards a more inclusive environment for women in Indian football.

Key changes include:

• Protection for Adoptive Parents and Non-Biological Mothers: Female players and coaches are entitled to paid adoption leave upon adopting a child. Additionally, family leave can be availed by a female player or coach other than the biological mother, following the birth of a child.
• Special Provisions: The amended regulations include safeguards against the unilateral termination of a contract by a club on grounds such as refusing to undergo a pregnancy test, being or becoming pregnant, being on maternity, adoption, or family leave, or utilising related rights. Such terminations will be deemed to have been made without just cause.
• Menstrual Health: A female player or coach may be permitted to be absent from training or matches whenever her menstrual health requires it, provided she submits a valid medical certificate issued by her gynaecologist or specialist medical practitioner. She will be entitled to receive her full pay when exercising these rights related to menstrual health.
• Primacy of National Law: Maternity leave at two-thirds salary, menstrual health entitlements, and special provisions relating to pregnancy, adoption, and family leave are mandatorily applicable, unless more favourable conditions are available to the player under national law.

In addition to these measures, new limitations on the number and duration of player loan deals have been set, and the AIFF has also revised its regulations concerning the registration of minors at academies.