Chelsea Women will stop signing autographs and taking photos with fans after matches at Kingsmeadow starting this season, after concerns for player safety were raised by the club. 

It is fairly common in the women’s game for players to take time after a match and meet the fans, sign autographs and take pictures. However, as women’s football attendances continue to grow, the ability to stop for large crowds is no longer feasible – from both a logistical and player welfare standpoint.

Since the exponential rise of interest in women's football and the WSL, Kingsmeadow – which has a maximum capacity of roughly 5,000 – has gone from hosting several hundreds of fans most weekends to routinely selling out. 

Chelsea have stated a fan advisory board, as well as the club’s women’s supporters’ group, have reviewed the “tough decision” but understand it’s an “essential one”. And although post-match interactions will be stopped moving forward, Chelsea have announced plans to implement meet-and-greets and other scheduled opportunities to speak with players in the near future. 

Although many fans will be saddened by the news, as the women’s game grows, it’s important that some existing traditions come under review. And despite the cultural shift stopping post-match autographs and photos will cause, the decision to do so is rooted solely in preserving player safety.