// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Women's billion-dollar boom leaves players behind, says Fifpro
Players from Real Madrid and Barcelona joined strike action in Spain's Liga F in 2023, as unions sought improved pay and conditions
Women's football is on course to become a billion-dollar industry, but many professional players are still earning low wages, working on insecure contracts and experiencing rising psychological stress.
That is according to the findings of a new global survey of more than 800 footballers by the players' union Fifpro., external
Players were asked why they might leave football early. The report stated 59% cited financial reasons, while psychological stress was another factor identified by 46%.
Alex Culvin, head of women's football at Fifpro, said there was no single explanation for the increase. She pointed to growing public exposure, financial insecurity and inadequate support systems as possible contributing factors.
"Players are not only expected to be visible, but are obligated to be visible because of the low income to subsidise the lack of solid income they receive."
While awareness of mental health issues has improved, Culvin explained many players felt they were being left to cope alone.
"Players also reported, whilst having a higher psychological stress, that they didn't have the support they needed in a mental health sense, either at the club or internationally," she said.
In total, the report shows 57% of women who responded to the survey struggled with their mental health and half of them were not provided with support by their clubs.
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