Culvin argues there is a growing disconnect between expectations and reality.
“I think there’s a wake-up call needed for the ecosystem, that our players are suffering and that there is not the kind of wraparound support and accountability that’s needed for players,” she said.
However, not all trends were negative.
One significant improvement being felt in the game concerns parenthood.
In 2017, nearly half of respondents considering leaving the game early said wanting a family could drive them out of football.
That figure has now fallen to 19%, which Fifpro attributes in part to maternity regulations that were introduced by Fifa in 2021 and updated two years ago.
“What we’ve concluded, which I think is incredibly important, is that targeted regulatory intervention works – maternity regulations were introduced in 2021,” said Culvin.
The report highlights a widening divide within the women’s game. The sport’s elite clubs and players have benefited from investment and visibility, yet much of the global workforce remains vulnerable.
“You’ve got an industry that’s very focused on the top 5% of players,” Culvin said.
“But then what you’ve got is the rest, which is 95% of the industry who are not paid on time, who have short contracts. They don’t get paid for 12 months – they are in incredibly vulnerable and precarious environments.”
Despite that, Fifpro insists the solution is not to slow down growth but to ensure that commercial success and player welfare develop together.
“There doesn’t need to be a choice for those between commercial growth and player protection,” said Culvin.
“Those two things need to go hand in hand and work in tandem.”
Her conclusion is clear.
“What we’re saying is enough is enough and the industry needs to react to the players’ needs and centralise the players’ voice, ensure that players have a seat at the table when decisions that affect them are being made about them.”
