World Cup Showdown: England Lionesses Weigh Options Amid FA Bonus Dispute
England Women's team, the Lionesses, have arrived in Australia for the upcoming World Cup However, tensions persist as discussions with the FA over performance-related bonuses remain unresolved The players are considering their options, including the possibility of boycotting certain media duties Stay tuned for more updates on the Lionesses' campaign, set to kick off against Haiti on July 22
The Lionesses arrived in Australia on Thursday to kick-start their World Cup campaign. However, sources have revealed that the players are dissatisfied with the absence of any FA bonuses for their participation in the tournament. In recent days, multiple meetings have been held between senior England players and FA officials, but no agreement has been reached thus far.
The players strongly believe they should receive direct payments from the FA in addition to what they will earn from FIFA. However, according to the FA, players already have a 300 per cent increase in pay compared to the previous World Cup. The players are currently contemplating their choices and although they do not plan to go on strike or take any action that would affect their participation in the World Cup, they will discuss how to respond once they have settled into their training base in Australia.
The idea of boycotting certain media responsibilities has been suggested, although the team has not yet collectively addressed this matter.
The FA has intentionally chosen not to provide any comments regarding the situation. They have stated their dedication to maintaining confidentiality throughout the process and never openly discussing financial matters or player payments.
The FA has informed We News that talks with the players are still in progress. Nevertheless, external sources have verified that the governing body has recently presented an additional financial proposal. This offer is distinct from the FIFA-funded World Cup bonuses and unrelated to the performance in the World Cup.
The FA aims to resolve the issue by using payments from its commercial partners to supplement the players' earnings, ensuring England's preparations for the World Cup are not disrupted.
That offer is now being considered by the England playing squad.
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England's players remain adamant they deserve direct payments from the FA, above what they will earn from FIFA
The FA's stance on bonus payments remains unchanged, with FIFA implementing standardized payment rates for all participating countries. This move, supported by the English FA, aims to ensure equal earnings for players regardless of their nationality.
Players eliminated in the group stages will each receive a sum of £24,000, whereas those who emerge victorious in the World Cup will be entitled to a guaranteed amount of £213,000. These funds are derived from FIFA's prize pool but are distributed through the respective national federations. The current figures triple the amounts allocated in 2019, which contributes to the Football Association's hesitation in offering additional monetary incentives to players.
The players believe that the FA should provide additional support from their own funds, as the bonuses they receive are sourced from FIFA money. They argue that if the Lionesses make it to the later stages of the World Cup, it will significantly benefit the FA and its commercial income, and the players deserve a share in this success.
The players highlight the significantly greater earnings of the USA and Canada compared to England's players. This disparity is due to the distinct collective bargaining agreements operating in North America, which are not governed by FIFA's prize distribution guidelines. Recently implemented funding regulations, established by FIFA, exceeded the expectations of the English FA. These rules ensure that 60 percent of all revenue generated by the FA from the tournament must be allocated towards player bonuses.
For the first time in the history of men's or women's game, the FA faces the possibility of incurring financial losses for a major tournament. In addition to player payments, they must bear the expenses of flights, hotels, support staff, and other logistical costs.
Furthermore, the FA has confirmed that, apart from player bonuses, they have agreed to allocate £10,000 per player to contribute towards the expenses incurred by their families and friends who wish to travel and support them in Australia.
When and where is the 2023 Women's World Cup?
The upcoming tournament will be the inaugural co-hosted Women's World Cup, taking place in Australia and New Zealand. As soon as the event concludes, FA officials intend to meet with the players to discuss their future remuneration. However, the players are demanding greater assurance of payment in advance.The tournament commences on July 20th, culminating in the final showdown on August 20th at Sydney's Accor Stadium.
The USA, reigning champions, aspire to etch their name in the competition's annals by clinching a historic three consecutive tournament victories.
