For 38 years, from 1941 until 1979, girls and women in Brazil were completely banned from playing football (soccer). Not for fun, not in schools and most certainly not professionally.
Now, Brazil, the most iconic football National teams globally, announced they will pay both their women and men the same amount for representing the Brazilian National teams.
On the same day that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced the hiring of two new female football coordinators, Duda Luizelli and Aline Pellegrino, President Rogério Caboclo declared, "The CBF has equalled the prize money and allowances between men's and women's football, which means the women players will earn the same as the men."
"It will be proportionally the same as what FIFA proposes for women, that is to say, there will be no more gender difference in remuneration between men and women."
Along with receiving the same prize money as their male counterparts, the Brazilian Football Confederation have stated that both the men and women will receive the same call-up fee and allowances on international duty.
Brazil join Australia, Norway and New Zealand amongst the Nations who have chosen to pay their women and men the same.
In March 2019, the US women's team, the current world champions, sued their federation, alleging discrimination over pay and conditions. A judge dismissed their case in May this year but the team appealed.
Considering the huge draw and stature of Brazilian football, this is a massive step in the right direction for women’s football. Most of the male international footballers earn huge salaries for their club teams and the pay they receive from the National team is a small bonus if anything.
To offer these women equal pay is substantial to growing the women’s game and will only improve the standards year on year. Brazil arguably are home to some of the greatest women’s footballers of all time, including Marta, Formiga and Cristiane. The decision made by the CBF is only going to encourage the next generation of superstars.
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