Under the new rules, players will be paid at least two-thirds of their salary during their maternity leave. Soccer clubs can sign temporary replacements but must reintegrate players when they return and provide adequate medical support.

English Football League interim chairwoman Debbie Jevan said recently that female coaches are as "tactically adept" as their male counterparts, and should be taking significant roles in the men's game. Liverpool Women caretaker manager Chris Kirkland agreed, saying "Absolutely, yeah. I've got no problem with that whatsoever. "As long as you can do a good job, it doesn't matter what standard or what sex you're managing."