The captains of the D1 Arkema and Second League teams have taken a bold stand against ongoing inequalities in professional women’s football. In a press release shared recently, they voiced their concerns with the support of the National Union of Professional Footballers (UNFP), highlighting the lack of progress in discussions regarding a collective agreement tailored specifically for women’s football.<\/p>\n
The press release’s slogan, \u201cSame football, same requirements. Still not the same rights,\u201d encapsulates the players’ frustrations. They have pointedly called attention to the fact that negotiations for such a collective agreement have stalled for the past three years. \u201cThis is no longer understandable, it is no longer acceptable,\u201d they emphasized, stressing the urgent need for change.<\/p>\n
In an extraordinary show of unity, the captains defined their roles and responsibilities explicitly. They wear the armband each week not just as leaders on the pitch, but as representatives of their sport. \u201cToday, we can no longer remain silent,\u201d they declared, underscoring the importance of their voices in advocating for equitable conditions.<\/p>\n
The captains also expressed their concerns about the fragility of women’s football clubs in France, particularly pointing to the critical situation at the Dijon club. They lamented, \u201cTwenty years of sporting commitment are dying out due to lack of a buyer and sufficient support,\u201d referencing the troubling closures of clubs like Soyaux and Bordeaux.<\/p>\n
These incidents are not viewed as isolated accidents; rather, the captains assert they represent a deeper structural problem within the landscape of French professional football. While they acknowledge some progress since the establishment of the Women’s Professional Football League (LFFP), they argue that the crucial element\u2014a collective agreement\u2014remains absent.<\/p>\n
Drawing attention to the year 2026, the players noted that professional women athletes still lack a collective agreement, despite performing the same sport under equal conditions as their male counterparts. They emphasized that \u201cwe play the same sport, train with the same requirements, and face the same physical constraints and risks.\u201d<\/p>\n
The gap in progress between men’s and women’s football is glaring. The captains lament that while men\u2019s football continues to advance, women are often told to be patient. \u201cIt’s not a question of priority. It’s a question of choice,\u201d they said firmly.<\/p>\n
The captains clarified that their demands are not for special treatment but rather for a “fair framework.” They stress that a collective agreement isn’t a privilege; it’s a fundamental necessity to protect players’ health, regulate working conditions, secure careers, and encourage authentic social dialogue.<\/p>\n
In a determined call to action, the captains urged social partners to expedite discussions, insisting that an agreement be formalized \u201cbefore the start of the next season.\u201d They reaffirmed their central message by stating, \u201cBecause we play the same football. Because we deserve the same rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
The pressing issues raised by the D1 Arkema captains highlight the necessary steps toward achieving equality in football. As they advocate for a collective agreement, their voices resonate as a clarion call for fairness and recognition in the realm of professional women’s sports. It is a pivotal moment that underscores the need for change in French football, one that demands attention and action from all stakeholders involved.<\/p>\n