World football's players' union FIFPro "unveiled several global outreach initiatives to increase its membership of female players" around the world, according to Simon Fudge of GOAL. The initiatives include the opportunity for female professional players to "become direct members of FIFPro alongside their male counterparts, as well as the establishment of a new female players advisory board that will aim to improve the working conditions for female professionals." FIFPro Secretary General Theo van Seggelen said, "We know that most of the members of FIFPro are men and we also know the fact that women have not always had access to the best representation provided by our (union) members. That is why we are here. We want to change that. We think at least in every country where women's football is being played, that they should have the minimum requirements as the men and to respect women's footballers as professionals." With many female professional players still being "defined as amateurs by their clubs around the world, FIFPro is keen to ensure those players are given the same rights as male professionals." Former Swedish int'l Caroline Jönsson said, "We have opened the door for women's footballers to become members in the union, and that is being part of the next stage of women’s football." The six-woman advisory board includes a pair of 2015 Women's World Cup players in Spain -- captain Veronica Boquete and Australian int'l goalkeeper Lydia Williams (GOAL, 7/4).
