England Women players are disappointed and frustrated with the Football Association after talks on performance-related bonuses broke down. The Guardian understands the squad will not be paid performance-related bonuses for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the players believe the FA is using the introduction of individual fees being set by Fifa as an excuse to avoid doing so for their work for the federation at the tournament.
Previously, Fifa distributed money to federations and it was at the discretion of the federation whether it passed some of that on to the players. However, Fifa announced that players will be allocated specified amounts for their participation in the World Cup with every player competing in the group stage receiving $30,000 (£24,000) and that money rising through the tournament to $270,000 for each player in the winning team.
The FA is understood to consider the money that has been allocated to players, which was won in conjunction with the global players’ union, Fifpro, as coming from the same pot of money it would have been given and from which it would have made payments.
The FA’s argument is that all Fifa has done is specify the amount that must go to players from that overall prize pot to ensure that every player at the tournament is paid. However, the overall pool of money available to federations and players has risen significantly, from $30m to $110m.
A source close to the players told the Guardian they had been made to believe that bonuses would be introduced by the FA only for the Fifa announcement to prompt an unwillingness to negotiate over what they feel is a very reasonable request.
It is understood teams from several other federations with collective bargaining agreements in place, including the United States, benefit from performance-related bonus arrangements separate to the Fifa money.
Fifa has been clear that its allocation for players is the base level and not a ceiling and the Lionesses are understood to be frustrated that the decision aligns the FA, which claims to be a leader on the international stage, with federations providing the bare minimum rather than those at the forefront of the global game.
England players receive £10,000 each to help their families attend the tournament, in line with what the men’s team receives for their families around major tournaments. However, new measures mean their individual earning potential has been restricted in the run-up to the World Cup, with the players unable to make physical appearances for their personal sponsors from 17 June and being unable to take part in social media promotions from 5 July. It is understood that there is dissatisfaction with the commercial strategy around the team and a lack of appreciation of their commercial value.
The Guardian has been told the players feel they need to take a stand, despite being made to feel like they should not rock the boat so close to the tournament, because they have exhausted all options available and believe that there is a hope that once they are on the plane to Australia on Wednesday, the problem will go away. The FA declined to comment.
