The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) will support international players and female referees seeking fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization and egg freezing, through a newly announced agreement with Clínica Tambre that extends through 2029, according to official federation announcements.
A New Benchmark for Professional Athlete Welfare in Spain
Announced on Tuesday at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, Madrid, the partnership introduces structured medical and financial backing designed to ease family planning for women competing at the highest levels of Spanish soccer. Rafael Louzán, president of the RFEF, presided over the presentation and described the initiative as “innovadora a nivel mundial,” with “una nueva prestación” that avances in materia de protección de la salud y la conciliación de las futbolistas, árbitras y empleadas y empleados de la propia RFEF. The plan covers international female players, match officials, and federation employees alike, establishing a formal mechanism to protect reproductive health alongside professional athletic careers.
“Una nueva prestación que sea el orgullo de todas las personas que forman esta Federación,” Louzán said during the presentation, emphasizing that Spain maintains a leading position in both men’s and women’s global soccer and should pioneer supportive measures for all players.
Player Perspectives on Balancing Sports and Personal Life
The launch event brought together prominent figures from across the Spanish game to endorse the agreement, including national team internationals Patri Guijarro and Olga Carmona, futsal player Vanessa Sotelo, and referee Alicia Espinosa.
«Lo importante es no tener que elegir entre nuestra vida personal y nuestra vida deportiva», stated Patri Guijarro, highlighting the core dilemma facing professional female athletes who previously had to navigate career peaks and family planning without institutional support.
The collaboration with Clínica Tambre, a specialized fertility center based in Madrid, provides structured access to advanced reproductive technologies under the umbrella of federation health protections. By locking in the partnership through 2029, the RFEF provides multi-year stability for athletes planning their families without sacrificing international duty or domestic league commitments.
Implementation and Next Steps
The agreement extends through 2029, with eligible international female players and referees able to coordinate treatments directly through the federation’s medical department and the specialized clinic network.
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