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A step towards equal pay? US men and women’s teams agree to mediation over pay dispute
In a recent report from English-based news outlet Soccerex, the United States’ men and women’s soccer teams have come to an agreement to resolve their ongoing pay disputes.
The news comes as we reach the knockout stages of the Women’s World Cup in France, with the USA set to face the hosts in the quarter finals after a 2-1 win against Spain.
In the last week or so, reports emerged that the women’s side generate more revenue for the sport of soccer in the USA than the men do. Despite the World Cup being far from over for the American girls, they clearly see this as an opportunity to prove why they should be on the same page as their male counterparts.
A statement regarding the timing of this mediation request can be found below from governing body, US Soccer.
‘While we welcome the opportunity to mediate, we are disappointed the plaintiffs’ counsel felt it necessary to share this news publicly during the Women’s World Cup and crate any possible distraction from the team’s focus on the tournament.’
As many male American players play in different countries (for example, Borussia Mochengladbach’s Fabian Johnson and Chelsea’s newest signing Christian Pulisic), bridging the pay gap is always going to be a challenge, despite the women being the reigning World Cup holders.
The announcement of this mediation process, which will begin following the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup on July 7, is a step in the right direction not just for soccer in the USA.
But it is a positive sign for other countries to also consider the possibility of equal pay. Countries like Australia and Norway, both of whom have numerous male players on club duty across the globe, could take a hint and pick up what the US it putting down.
The mediation isn’t a guarantee that the US women will be granted equal pay, but it is, once again, a very positive sign.
Caelum Ferrarese is a Senior journalist with Soccerscene.
He reports widely on micro policy within Australasia and industry disruptions at grassroots level.
Football Victoria’s decision to cancel Season 2021 without promotion and relegation is facing a considerable challenge from over 40 Victorian clubs.
Under the banner of United Football, more than 40 clubs have joined forces to challenge the decision to suspend promotion and relegation in men’s and women’s competitions in Victoria, following the cancellation of the season.
The decision has stirred controversy in the Victorian football community, with a number of clubs who were in the mix for promotion now believing that their efforts have ultimately been wasted.
The United Football Group of Clubs (United Football) represents more than 40 clubs from the top-tier of National Premier Leagues Victoria, right down to State League Five and is advocating that clubs who worked hard to put themselves into promotion contention across men’s and women’s divisions deserve to be rewarded for their efforts.
United Football Chairperson Zak Gruevski, former President of Preston Lions, believes that the clubs are disappointed that promotion has been taken off the table.
Zak Gruevski at Preston Lions. Photo Courtesy of Matt Johnson
“As clubs, we simply can’t tolerate this anymore,” Gruevski told Soccerscene.
“We invest money into our clubs, we work hard to create an environment that leads to success and in the context of a completely lost 2020, to not reward the clubs that have been ambitious in 2021 is not acceptable.
“Our own governing bodies want us to improve as clubs. Football Australia and Football Victoria have set out plans for the growth of their top-flight competitions, so clubs that have invested and improved themselves should be rewarded for that effort, especially with almost two-thirds of the season played.”
“The Football Australia Performance Gap recommends expanded NPL competitions that allow for 30 games per season, so this isn’t just us making things up as we go along to suit a few vocal clubs. Promotion is an important part of the game achieving its competitive and developmental aims.”
United Football has now held several meetings with concerned clubs, and last week delivered a written submission to the Football Victoria board that argues clubs have been misled and that Football Victoria did not adequately prepare for a range of COVID-19 related scenarios, particularly given the cancellation of the 2020 season.
Whilst the clubs acknowledge the cancellation of the season is in light of prolonged, ongoing lockdowns in Victoria, they strongly believe that promotion and relegation was consistently communicated as going ahead, even as late as August 9, 2021 and that promotion – at the very least – should still be honoured.
“You could see from a mile away that the season was going to be affected by COVID,” Gruevski said.
“Like most clubs, for the first few games of the season, all activities were. Checking in, managing numbers in and out of the ground, and as the season progressed that burden became heavier.
“Everyone experienced the effects of COVID in 2020. We lost a whole season and we came into this one with written commitments that promotion and relegation would exist for 2021.
“Even as late as August 2021, when clubs were provided the roadmap out of lockdown, promotion and relegation was still a live issue.
“The scene was set by Football Victoria as early as May 2020 with the release of their ‘Guiding Principles’, where the commitment was that as long as each team played each other once, that would constitute a season for promotion, relegation and prizemoney.
“That didn’t happen, but it didn’t happen because Football Victoria did not incorporate it into the rules of competition and then decided in between lockdowns to play the fixtures based on the calendar instead of the unfulfilled rounds, meaning some teams played each other twice and some didn’t play at all.
“Why, as clubs, should we have to pay for these mistakes? Why should we now have to recomplete an entire season?
“Football Victoria has confirmed that it wants to revise the rules of competition to avoid this happening in 2022, which we’re happy to work with them on, but it doesn’t solve the issue we face right now.”
Gruevski added United Football was also questioning the validity of Football Victoria’s decision, with clear precedent around the country to maintain promotion and relegation, or at the very least, complete a league restructure.
Capital Football decided to honour promotion and relegation despite the early cancellation of the season, whilst Football New South Wales decided to opt for a restructuring of its leagues in light of the cancellation of its competitions.
United Football has received commitments from more than 90% of its 40+ affiliated clubs to contribute to the costs associated with challenging this submission, and work has already progressed with the appointment of a legal team.
In addition to reviewing written material issued by Football Victoria, United Football’s legal team worked on a written submission, which was delivered to Football Victoria on behalf of the clubs on Monday September 20.
The submission, sighted by Soccerscene, notes the group’s commitment to try and amicably resolve the issue with Football Victoria and presents three options for the state governing body to consider:
Promotion and Recognition of Champions based on current standings or points per matches played method, with or without relegation.
Restructure of the leagues to achieve the desired effect of promotion/relegation, completed in line with the 2021 Football Australia Performance Gap Report.
Align with Football Victoria principles and fixture the outstanding games between teams who have not played against each other to complete the season and award promotion and relegation. Given the current COVID situation, it is recognised that this may be the least likely scenario.
Gruevski has had confirmation that the submission had been received and was discussed at Football Victoria’s most recent board meeting and is being reconsidered at an extraordinary meeting being held this week.
“I am satisfied that Football Victoria has heard our concerns and are taking steps to give this further consideration,” he said.
“But the clubs have been very firm with me and in turn our legal team. If we don’t hear back this week, the Group is determined to then proceed with other options. The Group has reserved its rights to pursue all avenues to reach a satisfactory resolution to the matter.
“One thing is clear; this issue is not going to go away.”
Football South Australia has announced the launch of the ‘Leave A Legacy’ website to coincide with the commemoration of 100 years for women’s football in the nation.
On Friday, September 24, the date marked 100 years since the first women’s football game was played in Brisbane at the Gabba in front of 10,000 spectators in 1921.
In 2020, we saw Australia and New Zealand announced as joint hosts for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023. This upcoming tournament is set to be the biggest Women’s World Cup to be held in history with 32 teams participating, with Adelaide being named as a host city to cater for this.
As a part of their legacy initiative, Football SA’s launch of the leavealegacy.com.au website has been developed to showcase the journey to the Women’s World Cup and the Legacy Plan that has been formulated to capitalise on this world event.
The hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 provides football with the unique opportunity to drive profound change for girls and women. The tournament will be used as a platform to drive gender equity and long-term social change not only in football but across the whole sporting community.
Football SA endeavours to do this by unlocking infrastructure to ensure girls and women can participate in a safe and inclusive manner. Growth of participation across all age groups and abilities, whilst recognising the significant contributions that women do make in leading the game, is critical.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is one of the world’s biggest events and it provides football with a vehicle to grow the sport in South Australia and drive significant growth and equality across all areas of the game,” Football SA Chief Executive Officer Michael Carter said.
“The website has been established to inform and engage people in this once in a lifetime opportunity and importantly we want to hear from our stakeholders on the legacy that they want to see the World Cup leave for the sport.”
For more information, visit the Leave A Legacy site here.
