RFEF details fertility plan for Spain players, with egg-freezing support, amid defence of scheme | OneFootball

The Spanish football federation presented its fertility plan in Las Rozas, setting out support for senior Spain players to freeze eggs at near-zero cost and to access IVF benefits with clinic Tambre after criticism of the initiative.

El Periódico Mediterráneo reports that it has been in force since April, with retroactive effect from December, when Spain won the Nations League, covering any player called up at least twice. It also applies to senior women's futsal internationals and to women's top-flight referees and assistants, although medication is excluded.

Barça captain Patri Guijarro and PSG's Olga Carmona attended. Guijarro said the plan enables choice about motherhood and promises support during a career, adding players should not have to choose between personal and sporting lives.

Carmona called it an important step, welcoming an extra resource and the chance to decide how and when to plan their futures.

The deal with Tambre runs until 2029. RFEF president Rafael Louzán described it as innovative in the federation sphere worldwide and said other federations have asked about the project.

He also highlighted Spain's leadership in the women's and men's games and pointed to existing family-conciliation measures for the men's team.

RFEF women's football director Reyes Bellver said the scheme responds to player demand and seeks to protect fertile years through better information. Tambre chief executive Inge Kormelink said the clinic will support footballers and their families, and that players can extend storage, withdraw, or donate to research or assisted reproduction.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”