England’s Women’s National Team, the Lionesses, who was in conflict with The Football Association (FA), recently released a statement that they will resume discussions over bonuses after the completion of the FIFA Women's World Cup.
England is set to play Hati on July 22, at 10:30 BST, in Milton, Australia.
Prior to the start of the 2023 World Cup, FIFA changed their rules around compensation to begin to close the wage gap between men and women players at World Cup appearances. All players will earn the same as their opponents that reach the same stage of the competition. FIFA has also set bonuses at the end of each round.
According to SkySports, the FA is reusing to provide their players with additional bonuses on top of FIFA's payments because of the new pay coming directly from the organization. However, nations like the United States and Australia will still receive payments from their respective federations.
"We're pushing the game on, we're trying to hit new levels. That's what we want to do as player's both on the pitch and off it."
Lucy Bronze offered her thoughts about the ongoing issue. pic.twitter.com/b4aPtly3k0— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 9, 2023
“FIFA is stepping up, but unfortunately this is not the case for everyone across the industry,” the FIFA President said in an interview for FIFA in March. “FIFA is receiving between 10- and 100-times inferior offers for the (FIFA) Women's World Cup than for the men’s World Cup," he said, in the same interview.
The FA have revealed that they could potentially lose money since they are responsible with covering the accommodation, flights and support staff costs during the World Cup. For these reasons, they are choosing to not supply the players with additional bonuses.
BBC reported that the FA initially offered bonuses to the Lionesses, but after it was made public that FIFA was supplying individual bonuses for women players for the first time, the FA withdrew their initial offer. England defender Lucy Bronze told reporters in Australia at the Sunshine Coast Stadium that the lack of support from their federation is 'frustrating' for the Lionesses.
The FA also implemented a mandatory media blackout, meaning players can not sign any deals, sponsorships or make any advertisements.
In the statement that the Lionesses released, they said, "these discussions through player input and a transparent long term plan," are key for the growth of English Women's Football.
The Lionesses also explained that they have "full intentions" of revisiting the payment discussions following the tournament and that while their focus "now switches fully to the tournament ahead," they believe "every tackle, pass, and goal, will contribute to the work," they are committed to off the field.
