Revolutionizing Women's World Cup: Spanish Upheaval, England's FA Turmoil, Jamaica's Reggae Girlz Triumph - Nations Paving the Path for Transformation
Discover the ongoing battles for change, fair pay, and improved conditions as Spain, England, and Jamaica gear up for the highly-anticipated Women's World Cup 2023 Get insights into the clashes between these nations and their football associations before the tournament in Australia and New Zealand
"Regrettably, this is still women's football."
She discussed the circumstances concerning Spain, a top contender in the tournament, who will face the absence of several of their standout athletes - including Patri Guijarro, the match-winning star from Barcelona's Champions League final - due to a disagreement with their FA, the RFEF.
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Lucy Bronze and her Lionesses team-mates spoke to the media at St George's Park ahead of the Women's World Cup
Fifteen players reached out to the RFEF via email in September, announcing their unavailability for selection due to their dissatisfaction with head coach Jorge Vilda. Reports suggested the existence of a detrimental environment that was affecting their mental well-being and obstructing their performance.
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Spain's manager Jorge Vilda was backed by the RFEF
The RFEF displayed their unwavering support for Vilda and responded firmly. The rebels, who deny any intention of seeking Vilda's dismissal, were informed that their return would only be possible upon recognizing their error and seeking forgiveness.
Amidst months of uncertainty and a lack of clear communication from both Vilda and the RFEF, the only players from the initial selection of 15, who will participate in the World Cup, are former Manchester United defender Ona Batlle and her two Barcelona teammates, Mariona Caldentey and Aitana Bonmati.
Guijarro's Champions League-winning Barcelona team-mates Mapi Leon, Claudia Pina and Sandra Panos will also not be playing in Australia and New Zealand.
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Barcelona's Patricia Guijarro will not be headed to the World Cup
"I know that they're ambitious players," Bronze said of those missing out, many of whom she plays with at Barca.
But to them there's more at stake than accolades.
Leon expressed his frustration at not being able to attend the World Cup, affirming that his values take precedence. Bronze, in conversation with BBC Sport at St George's Park, commented on the disappointment of missing out on such a significant event in a footballer's career, emphasizing that this is unfortunately still the reality in women's football.
Bronze's final words have proven to be a prescient warning for England, who flew to Australia without a resolution to their row with the FA over performance-related bonuses.
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The European champions are reportedly disappointed that the FA has not offered to directly compensate them for bonuses, now that FIFA is distributing prize money directly to players instead of federations as before. Each player who participates in the tournament will receive £24,000 for playing in the group stages, and the victorious team will receive £213,000 from FIFA.
The FA, which has been seeking a solution, believes that the players' threefold increase in earnings compared to France 2019 is sufficient, particularly since this will be the first significant tournament that is expected to result in a financial loss due to the associated logistical expenditures.
However, the Lionesses contend that if they advance to the later phases of the competition, the FA's commercial revenues will increase – a benefit they believe they should also share in.
The focus, naturally, leans towards star-heavy England and Spain, but their stories are not unique.
"Many teams around the world who face a lot of problems are fighting a fight," said Bronze.
The Spanish girls have likely garnered more attention due to the presence of world-class players. However, there are numerous teams worldwide, such as Jamaica, that are dedicated to improving their squads and reaching a deserving level.
Having Manchester City's leading goal scorer, Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, in their ranks, the Reggae Girlz are preparing for their second World Cup appearance. They aim to surpass their previous performance of being eliminated in the group stage in 2019.
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Khadija Shaw, a prominent figure from Jamaica, is set to shine at the World Cup as one of their top stars. However, their journey hasn't been without obstacles. Jamaica has openly addressed what they perceive as substandard assistance from the Jamaican Football Federation.
The players' open letter last month exposed missed friendlies due to inadequate planning, unpaid contractual compensation, and seemingly neglected complaints from the Reggae Girlz. Twitter.
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The GoFundMe page created by Sandra Brower, mother of midfielder Havana Solaun, perfectly illustrates the predicament currently faced by Jamaica. Brower appeals to soccer enthusiasts who cherish the magic of a Cinderella story and to women who recognize the ongoing struggle for equality, urging them to contribute towards the tournament expenses.
The Reggae Girlz Foundation aims to raise $75,000 for the team's send-off camp in July, as they have experienced repeated funding cuts from the JFF in the past nine years. Unlike the Reggae Boyz, the male counterpart, they have not faced similar challenges.
Cedella Marley, the daughter of music icon Bob Marley, played a crucial role in the journey of the Reggae Girlz to the World Cup. Since 2014, Marley, as the Jamaica Women's Football Ambassador, has not only financially supported the team but also used her influence to advocate for the recognition that the Reggae Girlz rightfully deserve.
Despite reaching out to the Jamaican Football Federation for their input, no response was received from them.
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Bronze, speaking last week in Australia about England's dispute, summed up why it is important for women's teams to keep nudging the dial regarding fair payment and conditions.
Bronze stated, "The players, along with all those associated with women's football, strive to elevate the sport and surpass limitations. Our aim is to improve the game rather than place restrictions on it, ensuring that we leave a positive legacy for future generations." In addition, Canada, Nigeria, and South Africa have expressed their concerns regarding conditions and compensation matters.
The players have been anxiously awaiting the conclusion of Canada's labour agreement before the tournament begins. Meanwhile, the head coach of Nigeria, their rivals in Group B, has contemplated not attending the tournament due to the challenges he has faced dealing with the country's FA.
South Africa decided to boycott their send-off game due to concerns about the poor condition of the pitch and a disagreement over performance-based incentives. Fortunately, these issues have now been resolved with the help of a charitable donation.
The World Cup serves as a stark reminder of the remaining work that lies ahead. Despite the progress made in the past four years, it is crucial to recognize that there is still much to be accomplished. After all, this tournament revolves around women's football.
