Women’s World Cup pay scales are a step in the right direction but could go further, a southern football boss says.
Fifa has announced its new member association distribution model for the Fifa Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The model provides a financial contribution for all participating teams and players, and then has an increasing rate for performance throughout the tournament.
Allocations per player start at $US30,000 ($NZ49,000), rising to $US270,000 for the trophy winners.
Team allocations start at $US1,560,000 and rises to $US4,290,000 for the winning team.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino said under this new distribution model, each individual player at the world cup could now fully rely on remuneration for their efforts as they progress through the tournament.
"The captain that ultimately lifts the iconic Fifa Women’s World Cup Trophy on August 20 in Sydney will receive $US270,000, as will each of her 22 team-mates."
Participating member associations will receive distributions to support football development in their countries, while all participating players will receive guaranteed remuneration for their achievements at the tournament, he said.
The global salary of women’s professional footballers was about $US14,000 annually, so the amounts allocated under this new distribution model would have a real and meaningful impact on the lives and careers of these players.
"Beyond this, all member associations will also receive a record financial distribution based on their performance, which they can use to reinvest back into football in their countries and which we believe will help to propel the women’s game even further."
Southern Football chief executive Dougal McGowan said while the remuneration was a big step forward for women’s professional footballers, it was still not at the level which made it equal to their male counterparts.
"It’s recognition that we are heading in the right direction, but there’s still some work to go."
The starting payment of $US30,000 per player was a significant increase "which is great" but it was still quite a way from the type of payments men’s professional footballers could receive, Mr McGowan said.
"So basically it’s good news, it’s a step in the right direction but there’s still more work to go."
