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Chelsea manager Emma Hayes MBE has launched a scathing attack, calling the lack of childcare support received by women in professional football an "absolute disgrace".

Emma, who has recently revealed that she is pregnant with twins, told The Offside Rule Exclusives Podcast she felt English football is way behind the USA when it comes to supporting players and coaches who have chosen to have children.

“People need to understand that we are born to have children,” she said. “Just because they are an athlete does not mean they shouldn’t be supported.

“The funny thing about footballers is that they come back better players [after having children] because they produce more oxygen in their blood and they can run for further. I have found it’s improved them.

“I think we do need to celebrate it and make sure the support network is there for the women.”

Her comments come at a time when figures from Fifpro, the global players’ union, show a meagre one per cent of players in the English Women’s Super League are mothers.

One of that elite group is Katie Chapman, Chelsea club captain, whose international career suffered when she was dropped from the England side in 2010 after asking for time off to look after her family.

“When I think about how little support the England national team players have, including Katie, I think it’s absolutely disgraceful,” added Emma. “I am not entirely sure that has been addressed and it does need to be looked at.”

You can listen to Emma's interview in full from new podcast series The Offside Rule Exclusives via Audioboom and iTunes.

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