Norway's Toppserien Implements Mandatory Contract Extensions for Pregnant Players

The groundbreaking rule, effective immediately, ensures one-year extensions at equal financial terms, setting a global benchmark for maternity protections in sports.

• Toppserien, Norway's top women's football league, now requires clubs to offer a one-year contract extension to players who are pregnant and in their twelfth week before their contract expires.
• The extensions must be provided at the same financial terms as the player's current contract, ensuring no loss of income during maternity leave.
• This initiative aims to create a safer environment for female athletes to balance professional careers with family life, particularly in a league with an average player age of 22.93 years.
• League officials describe the rule as a historic step toward improving maternity protections in sports, with flexibility for clubs to offer additional support beyond the mandated minimums.
• The policy aligns with broader trends in football, following similar measures by AC Milan and the German Football Association in recent years.

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