French Women’s Footballers Unite: ‘We Can No Longer Stay Silent’ Demand for Collective Bargaining Agreement
On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, the captains of France’s professional women’s football leagues took a unified stand, publishing a powerful op-ed in L’Équipe titled “Même football, même exigence. Toujours pas les mêmes droits” (Same football, same demand. Still not the same rights). The article, spearheaded by Sakina Karchaoui and other team captains, directly addresses the ongoing absence of a collective bargaining agreement for professional women’s footballers in France, a situation they describe as creating “structural precarity.”
The captains’ message is clear and urgent: after three years of negotiations with no tangible progress, they refuse to remain silent any longer. As stated in their op-ed, “We can no longer stay silent. In Dijon, twenty years of sporting commitment are fading away due to lack of buyer and sufficient support, leaving players facing a fait accompli.” This reference highlights the immediate threat to Dijon’s women’s team, which faces potential disappearance from the professional ranks.
The op-ed emphasizes that female footballers face the same risks and demands as their male counterparts but lack equivalent protections. “This is not a question of priority. It’s a question of choice,” the captains assert, challenging the notion that resource allocation is inevitable rather than a deliberate decision by football authorities.
The timing of this public appeal coincides with a critical match for Dijon’s women’s team. On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:45 PM local time (18:45 UTC), Dijon will face Olympique Lyonnais Féminin away in what could be a pivotal encounter for their season. Currently fifth in the Arkema Première Ligue standings with six points behind fourth-place Nantes, Dijon still has a mathematical chance to reach the playoffs if they win their remaining three matches and Nantes experiences a significant downturn in form.
The collective action by the captains represents a significant escalation in the campaign for a collective bargaining agreement. Their unified voice, representing both Première Ligue and Seconde Ligue teams, aims to pressure governing bodies into finally concluding negotiations that have stalled for years. As the op-ed concludes, the players are demanding not just consideration but concrete action to secure the same fundamental rights afforded to male professional footballers in France.
The movement reflects broader challenges in women’s professional sports globally, where achieving equitable working conditions often requires sustained advocacy. For the French women footballers, this public stance marks a pivotal moment in their fight for recognition and protection under a formal collective bargaining agreement.
What’s next: The next scheduled action is Dijon’s away match against Olympique Lyonnais Féminin on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at 6:45 PM local time (18:45 UTC). Fans and supporters can follow the team’s progress and the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations through official club channels and league communications.
Share your thoughts on this important development in women’s football and join the conversation about equity in sports.
