Chelsea Women’s head coach, Sonia Bompastor, and her assistant, Camille Abily, have revealed they have been in a long-term romantic relationship for 13 years and have four children together.
The couple opened up about their relationship publicly for the first time on the eve of the release of Bompastor’s autobiography. They admitted they had previously struggled with the idea of discussing their private lives in public but ultimately decided to share their story.
“We are always looking for happiness,” Bompastor said. “Finally, we realised that having lied for 13 years is a difficult secret to keep. With hindsight and our different experiences, we say to ourselves that we should have revealed it from the start. The message that I especially want to give is that we realise that the most important thing is happiness.”
Both Bompastor and Abily were successful players before transitioning into coaching. They were teammates at Lyon, one of the most dominant clubs in European women’s football, where they won multiple Champions League titles. Both also had illustrious international careers with France, earning more than 150 caps each.
When asked why they had waited so long to disclose their relationship, Abily explained that they wanted to be known for more than just being a couple. “We were still two well-known players. We were already associated with many things. We didn’t want it to be just that. We are working together at the moment, but it won’t be like this our whole life either. We don’t work together because we are a couple. We work together because we complement each other.”
Since taking over as Chelsea manager last summer, Bompastor has yet to lose a game in charge. She succeeded Emma Hayes, a hugely influential figure in women’s football, and has continued Chelsea’s dominance in the Women’s Super League.
Reflecting on her journey, Bompastor acknowledged the challenges she faced in understanding her feelings while growing up. “Revealing my life together with Camille, our relationship, after – as I say in the book – these 13 years of lies, is still a subject on which we are not entirely comfortable today. We are rather discreet and we like to have a completely normal life. Growing up, feeling attracted to a woman, not knowing what’s going on, not understanding what’s going on, not having the answers and also not having people around you with whom you can talk about the subject, it’s not easy.”
Their decision to share their story now is not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment in women’s football. Their openness adds to the ongoing conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in sports, showing that visibility can help others who may be struggling with similar experiences.
Despite their personal relationship, their professional dynamic is built on mutual respect and a shared vision for success. Their achievements as both players and coaches highlight their individual contributions to the game.
With Bompastor leading Chelsea and Abily supporting her as assistant coach, they remain focused on their footballing ambitions while embracing the opportunity to live their truth openly.
