MFPA, Malta FA agree revised MOU for women’s national team

Maternal and early childhood support to be provided for female players

The Malta Football Players Association (MFPA) and the Malta Football Association have reached an agreement to revise the Memorandum of Understanding for players forming part of the women’s national football team set-up.

Consolidating the initial agreement signed in 2021, the revised MOU represents another significant step forward for women’s football in Malta as it addresses important matters such as a commitment to collectively develop a maternal and early childhood support policy for female football players.

All parties also recognise the need to align their interests and combine their strengths and record their shared respect for all internationally recognised human rights as set out in the FIFA Statutes and in FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, and their commitment to promote the protection of these rights.

There is also agreement over financial remuneration and performance-based bonuses for the UEFA Women’s Nations League competition.

Added to that it includes a defined timeframe to carry out medical procedures for any player who sustains an injury that requires surgery while representing the women’s national team.

The MOU also includes an overall improved conditions and incentives for women’s football players who are called up to the senior national squad for official international matches.

Malta women’s national team captain Emma Lipman welcomed the signing of the revised MOU. “The MOU is another step in the right direction as it provides further enhancements from the agreement signed two years ago,” Lipman said.

“It also reflects the mutual commitment to start tackling key issues such as the formulation of a maternal and early childhood policy.

“Women’s football is growing at a rapid rate, and this is increasing the level of recognition for the efforts and achievements of women’s football players as well as their rights and obligations. This is a two-way thing.

“We are fully dedicated, focused and committed to the national team, doing a lot of sacrifices to perform to the best of our abilities, and our collective efforts are producing the desired rewards. We want to feel supported and appreciated for our contribution and this MOU goes a long way towards achieving that.

“I would like to express our appreciation to the MFPA for their enormous support and guidance throughout this process, and the Malta Football Association for their co-operation.”

Anthony Galea, the MFPA president, said: “The commitment to secure better and equal conditions for women in football is a priority for the MFPA and this MOU takes us another step closer towards achieving this objective.

“Our players are great ambassadors for our country, they are constantly pushing themselves to raise their standards and achieve excellent results for our national team. They deserve our full appreciation and recognition, and the MFPA is delighted to be offering our unwavering support to the women’s national team players and women’s football in general which constitutes one of the main goals of the Association’s strategy for the period 2023-2026.

“We are also grateful to the Malta Football Association for their availability and contribution during the discussions about this MOU.”