The US women’s national team led by superstar Megan Rapinoe failed in a federal court with a lawsuit for equal pay as his male colleagues. This emerges from a published decision of the court in California. However, there will be a hearing in the coming month over the allegations of the world champion team that they enjoy worse travel conditions and medical support than their male colleagues.
The women’s football team sued its own association (USSF) for discrimination last spring, and US footballers primarily complained that its male counterparts would be paid far better. In addition, the men would have better travel, game and training conditions.
“We are shocked and disappointed with the decision, but we will not give up our hard work for equal pay,” tweeted team spokeswoman Molly Levinson. “We will never stop fighting for EQUALITY,” wrote world footballer Rapinoe. Levinson announced that he would contest the decision.
The US women are much more successful than men, but they are paid significantly less. The USA are four-time world champions and four-time Olympic champions in women’s football, most recently they won the title at the World Cup last year in France. The German national team was then eliminated in the quarter-finals.
In mid-March, US soccer association chief Carlos Cordeiro resigned after controversial statements on gender equality issues. In court, the association side had argued in the legal dispute that players are physically less able and also less responsible than players. “It was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Cordeiro had said at the time. The previous vice president Cindy Parlow was promoted to head of the association.
(nih / dpa)
–
