'We don't have to choose between babies and football'

AC Milan women finished sixth in Serie A in 2023-24

AC Milan captain Christy Grimshaw says players "now don't have to make a choice" between being a mother or a footballer after the club introduced a ground-breaking maternity policy.

The Italian giants have become the first club in Europe to guarantee contract renewals for players who become pregnant in the final year of their deals.

Players will also receive help with childcare and expenses for their children and a companion.

"The choice of being a mother or a player is one that definitely, in the past, a lot of women have had to make," Scotland international Grimshaw told BBC Sport.

"To be granted this opportunity feels extra special. You might be in the last year of your contract and feel a little scared about becoming a mother. It's taking that choice away from us. We can feel comfortable.

"Becoming a mother as a woman is a beautiful thing. I'm hoping this is the start of something special in women's football and women's sport."

The policy from AC Milan was led by head of women's football Elisabet Spina and comes amid a push for improved rights for players across the game, with Fifa launching new standards to protect pregnant female footballers in May.

"As a huge club, we have the responsibility to try to develop women's football. That's why every year we invest in a dedicated project," Spina told BBC Sport.

"I hope this project in particular can help not only women's football improve, but women's sport and female professionals."

'We are happy to be the first'

Elisabet Spina led the creation of the policy after consulting with players

Spina said it was important to be proactive on women's health and provide resources for the future generation at AC Milan.

She hopes their maternity policy will act as a "model" to other clubs and set a precedent within women's sport.

"We want to contribute and try to change the culture," she added.

"It is late in a way, but we are happy to be the first that thinks of something like this and to try to change things.

"We started from the point that we didn't want to wait for something to happen and to then have to solve the problem. We wanted to have an immediate response and try to build it before."

The club consulted players from the first team and academy on the project - using surveys and discussions to form the final agreement.

Spina - the only female head of football in Italy's first division - admitted her presence as a woman in a position of influence was an important factor.

"Unfortunately there are not many female sporting directors in Italy. I agree, we are missing more female professionals involved in women's football and also men's football," said Spina.

"I think the men's game gives us the opportunity to grow but now we can give something back to women's football.

"We should always have a mix and that is the best choice. It's why we have other women inside main roles at AC Milan."

'I'd like to see a change in mindset'

Christy Grimshaw was named AC Milan captain earlier this summer

Spina believes the impact of the policy will not truly be felt until a member of the playing squad at AC Milan becomes pregnant.

However, Grimshaw says people are looking at the club as "being serious with equality and inclusivity" and she is proud to represent AC Milan.

"It's not only on the outside, it feels really good on the inside. It's a really proud moment," she added.

"Women should never be put off about being a mother. It's really special and it should always feel that way."

As well as encouraging others to follow suit in regulations, Grimshaw thinks the next step should be about changing the perception of motherhood in women's football.

"A policy like this enables us to come back and perform [after giving birth]. I’d like to see a change in mindset," said Grimshaw.

"We can have a baby, come back and be as strong as we were before, compete in major events - and not just in women's football but every sport.

"Hopefully that can change. It's a step-by-step process. We are growing every day. But it's an exciting time for all of us."