Women’s Nations League: Lionesses retable bonus talks with FA
England Women are keen to sit down with the FA hierarchy to discuss their ongoing dispute over pay and bonuses before the squad meets up for the Nations League matches in a week’s time.
The rift dominated the build up to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. On the eve of the team flying out for the tournament a row broke out, with the players “disappointed” with the bonuses they were due to be paid by the FA as they progressed through the competition.
However, in a statement the players announced they were putting aside their differences for the duration of the tournament.
frustration within the squad reportedly remains as they prepare to meet up again, with the two sides no closer to a resolution.
There is no suggestion the players will go on strike, or they will look to reduce their media and commercial duties while on FA duty.
However, those more extreme actions have been discussed in the recent past.
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The players’ are adamant they should be rewarded for their achievements directly from FA coffers, rather than just the FIFA bonus payments that were laid out before the World Cup.
“We are disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved,” the squad said in a statement back in July ahead of the World Cup.
“We view the successful conclusion of these discussions, through player input and a transparent long term plan, as key for the growth of Women’s Football in England.”
FIFA changed the rules for the World Cup to try to ensure that all the players at the tournament, whatever country they are from, earn the same as their opponents who reach the same stage of the competition.
That means bonuses were set for each round, with all players receiving £24,000 if they got knocked out in the group stages, and £213,000 if they went on to win the World Cup.
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The Lionesses won the last time they played at the stadium, beating Brazil on penalties in April’s Finalissima.
They return to action after finishing as runners-up at this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand by facing Scotland at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light a week on Friday.
That is their opening Nations League Group A1 fixture, with a game against the Dutch in Utrecht to follow four days later.
Sarina Wiegman’s side then face Belgium at Leicester’s King Power Stadium and away in October, before the December Wembley contest and a subsequent trip to Scotland.
Wiegman’s squad for this month’s games is set to be announced on Wednesday.