Captains across the top two divisions of women’s football in France have jointly called for the urgent signing of a collective bargaining agreement, warning that players remain exposed without a formal employment framework despite years of negotiations.
In a statement backed by the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), the players said discussions over a comprehensive agreement have dragged on for more than three years without resolution. They argue that the absence of a binding structure continues to leave professional footballers vulnerable on key issues such as contracts, working conditions, and basic employment protections.
The captains stressed that their demands are rooted in fairness rather than privilege, stating, “We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for a fair framework.” Their position reflects growing frustration within the women’s game, where players say systemic gaps persist despite the sport’s rapid growth and increasing visibility.
The call has also been reinforced by global players’ body FIFPRO, which has thrown its weight behind the push for guaranteed employment rights. FIFPRO said it stands alongside the UNFP and the players in advocating for a formal agreement that would align professional standards in women’s football with those long established in the men’s game.
Players pointed to multiple instances in recent years where the lack of a structured agreement has led to uncertainty and unequal treatment, highlighting what they describe as a widening gap between men’s and women’s football in France. They warned that failure to address these issues before the start of the next season could further undermine confidence in the league’s governance and commitment to player welfare.
