President Lula welcomes national team players at the Palácio do Planalto | OneFootball

President Lula sent to the National Congress, this Wednesday (11), at the Planalto Palace, the Bill that establishes guidelines for the development of women's football in the country. The proposal, developed in partnership between the Ministry of Sports, clubs, and confederations, represents a regulatory milestone for the sport.

The announcement was made during the tribute to the players of the Brazilian Women's Football Team, champions of the Copa America in August. Also participating in the ceremony were the Minister of Sports, André Fufuca, and the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), Samir Xaud.

President Lula highlighted the main points of the Bill and the importance of transforming women's football into a state policy. “To encourage grassroots women's football, promote partnerships between schools and universities for talent training, combat discrimination and intolerance in sports, all of this requires adjustments in the general law to ensure that the training organizations offer female athletes the same development conditions that men have. We will do everything within the reach of the Brazilian government to create conditions to compete on an equal footing with any country in the world,” he said.

According to Minister André Fufuca, the Bill seeks to correct historical inequalities in relation to men's football and creates solid foundations for sustainable, inclusive, and competitive growth of the sport. "Today, 80% of athletes are still amateurs. The project ensures that clubs will have to professionalize their women's teams, support players during and after maternity, for example, and open space for women in football management. It is a fundamental step to consolidate the sport in Brazil," he said.

Main guidelines of the Bill

The Bill, which was approved this Wednesday in the Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights of the Federal Chamber, recognizes women's football as a priority of national sports policy, guaranteeing the constitutional right to sport and creating measures to protect and value athletes. Among the points provided are: full respect for pregnancy and maternity, encouragement to the full professionalization of competitions, strengthening of the base categories (sub-12, sub-15, sub-17, and sub-20), requirement of stadiums accessible to the public and official calendar announced at least six months in advance, encouragement to female presence in management, refereeing, technical direction, and physical education, expansion of the concept of Football Anonymous Society for exclusively female clubs, new requirements for training clubs, such as gynecological care, and equality of access to training structures.

The text also amends provisions of Law No. 14.193/2021 (Football Anonymous Society) and Law No. 14.597/2023 (Football Regulatory Framework), focusing on strengthening the base and professionalizing the sport. After passing through Congress, it will be up to the Ministry of Sports to regulate and apply the law.

For the team's coach, Arthur Elias, who has been working in women's football for 19 years, the project represents a historic achievement.

“It's great news. I know firsthand the difficulties faced by athletes and I know the importance of these pillars. The government shows that it is doing its part. In 2027 we will have a World Cup in Brazil and we need unity between government, CBF, clubs, private initiative, and fans. We will do everything to realize the dream of generations, which is to be world champions in 2027,” he declared.

Tribute to the champions

The ceremony was also marked by the celebration of the ninth Copa America title. The victory guaranteed a place in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and reinforced Brazil's leading role towards the 2027 World Cup, which will be contested for the first time in South America.

Goalkeeper Cláudia Oliveira highlighted the emotion of recognition and representing the country.

“It is an honor to wear the national team's shirt. Winning a title is indescribable. I hope we continue to make history and represent our country well,” she said.

Meanwhile, forward Amanda Gutierrez, top scorer of the Copa America, emphasized the importance of government support.

“This incentive increases visibility and strengthens women's football. It is the result of our work, but also of the trust and support we are receiving”.

The athletes Andressa Karolaine, Fátima Dutra, and Fernanda Palermo also participated in the meeting.

The president of the CBF, Samir Xaud, reinforced the entity's commitment. “We are going to host the largest Women's World Cup in history and we are committed to consolidating women's football in Brazil. The athletes have all the support of the new CBF,” he said.

“Women's football is not just a game: it is inclusion, self-esteem, and opportunity for thousands of Brazilian women. Our goal is that every girl and every woman in the country have the chance to dream, train and play on equal terms. In Brazil, women make history on and off the field. Congratulations to our players and long live women's football,” concluded Minister André Fufuca.

Legal Framework for Women's Football

The Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights of the Chamber of Deputies approved, also this Wednesday, the bill that establishes the Legal Framework for Women's Football. The initiative was presented by former deputy and current councilwoman of Florianópolis, Carla Ayres, and aims to strengthen the development of the sport in all categories, ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women in sports.

The project provides for the promotion of competitions at different levels, incentives for the formation of athletes and professionals, equitable access to public resources, valorization of the base categories, and the creation of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating policies aimed at women's football.

Among the main points of the proposal are the creation of a National Fund for the Development of Women's Football, aimed at financing programs, competitions, and infrastructure; the definition of minimum terms for athletes' contracts; the organization of a national calendar of competitions; and parameters for the formation of players.

Before going to a vote in the Plenary of the Chamber, the project will still pass through the Sports, Finance and Taxation, and Constitution and Justice committees.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.