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Everton and England star Toni Duggan is set to become the first Women’s Super League footballer to take maternity leave.
Duggan, 31, has played for the likes of Barcelona and Manchester City and has 76 caps for the England national team.
She revealed she was pregnant on social media in September, with Everton confirming that the forward would play no further part in their 2022/23 season.
An agreement between the Football Association (FA) and the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) led to the introduction of legislation at the beginning of this season allowing players to take maternity leave with full pay and any other remuneration for the first 14 weeks, The Times reports.
Prior to the agreement, clubs in the Women’s Super League could be given maternity leave, but it was not compulsory.
Duggan pictured playing for England during the 2019 World Cup quarter final against Norway
Duggan said: ‘It was definitely a move that they needed to do. I find it crazy that it’s only just been put in place now.’
Only a small number of professional players have given birth during their playing careers, with many opting not to.
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Of the Lionesses Squad that won the European Championships earlier this summer, only Demi Stokes was a parent after her female partner gave birth.
Meanwhile, many of the men’s squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar are parents, but do not face any disruption to their careers.
Duggan added: ‘I had to tell the team doctor because it [was] pre-season and they’re trying to run me hard and I’m thinking ‘I can’t do this’.
‘There’s no guide to follow. Ideally, when a player gets pregnant, there should be [some form of communication to say] congratulations here’s x, y, and z with the contact details.’
Duggan revealed the news on social media in September, with Everton confirming that the forward would play no further part in their 2022/23 season
Duggan began her career at Everton, breaking into the first team in the 2007/08 season as a teenager.
She signed for Barcelona after seven years at the club, before moving onto Manchester City, followed by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. She returned to Everton in 2021.
She has scored 22 goals for England, but hasn’t featured in international football since 2020.
