Football: Matildas pay equality confirmed

The Matildas’ equal-pay deal will put pressure on FIFA to reduce the gap in prizemoney between the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Matildas star Sam Kerr will receive the same pay and conditions as a top Socceroo

The Matildas’ groundbreaking equal-pay deal will put pressure on FIFA to reduce the huge gap in prizemoney between the men’s and women’s World Cups, Football Federation chief executive David Gallop has predicted.

After FFA and the players’ union unveiled details of the revolutionary deal — first revealed in News Corp publications on Tuesday — Gallop said the $370m “discrepancy” in prizemoney would continue to get “global attention” thanks to the Matildas’ deal.

Under the collective bargaining agreement up to 20 Matildas will earn the same as their higher-earning male counterparts, equating to roughly $100,000 a year, for playing for the national team.

The four-year CBA will give the Socceroos and Matildas half each of a 24 per cent share of commercial revenues generated by the national teams this year, rising by 1 per cent each year. The players will also get to share 40 per cent of prizemoney from a World Cup, and the Matildas will get the same off-field support as the men.

Players union boss John Didulica said the deal in its entirety was a world first and should be “shouted from the rooftops” as a move towards gender parity. Though FIFA has doubled the prizemoney at the women’s World Cup to $30m, it is dwarfed by the $400m pot for the men’s tournament.

“Prizemoney is still a big issue, the discrepancy is stark,” said Gallop. “This will help those sitting in this seat (succeeding him as CEO), and JD (Didulica) and others to continue to drive in that area.

“This deal does not take into account that discrepancy, and that’s a discrepancy that needs attention from FIFA. It’s great that it is getting global attention and we can be part of that.”

Didulica said the revenue-sharing model would provide an example for FIFA of how equalising payments could lead to greater income.

“We hope this will prove to be successful in that regard, and FIFA will see the fruits emerging from this,” he said. “It should encourage FIFA to consider the question of prizemoney. You can never guarantee outcomes but this is a framework the players have invested in.”

The deal makes Australia one of just four federations in the world to have achieved equal pay between male and female senior teams, and Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight said others should follow suit to concentrate minds at FIFA.

“The more countries that recognise equality, the more pressure it puts on FIFA,” she said.

“If we can gather these leading countries to recognise equality within their Federations, the question will be asked of why this is not happening at a global level.

“In Australia we’re leaders, we like to be proactive and do things ourselves. We’re one of the first countries to recognise equality, and our model is unique.

“The general concept of treating females equally to males is what we want, and what we need to put pressure on FIFA.”

WHAT THE NEW CBA ENTAILS

* The Matildas and Socceroos will receive a 24 per cent share of an aggregate of national team generated revenues – including broadcasting, sponsorship, merchandising and match-day revenue – in 2019/20.

* This share rises by one per cent each year of the four-year deal, meaning it will reach 27 per cent by 2023.

* Five per cent of the aforementioned revenue will be reinvested into Australia’s national youth teams.

* The Matildas will have a three-tier centralised contract system, which includes minimum guaranteed payments supplemented by a player-driven bonus structure.

* Tier 1 Matildas will earn $83,000 per year – the same as top Socceroos – while Tier 2 will earn $56,000 and Tier 3 will earn $40,000. In 2019, the top-earning Matildas received $55,000.

* The Socceroos’ payments are a combination of a flat match fee and a commercial dividend at the end of each season with guaranteed minimums aligning with the Matildas’ guarantees.

WHAT PRIZE MONEY ARE THE PLAYERS ENTITLED TO?

* Players’ share of prizemoney on qualifying for a World Cup will increase from 30 per cent to 40 per cent. That share increases to 50 per cent if they progress to the knockout stage.

* The players’ share of Asian Cup prize money will increase from 30 per cent to 33 per cent. The prize money share increases again to 40 per cent if they qualify for the final.

HOW WILL PLAYER CONDITIONS BE IMPROVED?

* The Matildas’ coaching, high performance and operational support will mirror the Socceroos’ standards.

* The Matildas will now fly business class for international travel, in line with the Socceroos.

* A minimum of $1.448m will be allocated to the PFA’s player development program – through which players access wellbeing, education and transition services – across the four years of the CBA.

* FFA’s parental leave policy will be reviewed and upgraded to provide more support to Matildas during pregnancy and when returning to national team duty.

* The FFA will renegotiate sponsorship contracts to ensure there are equal performance bonuses for the Socceroos and Matildas, while commercial parameters will apply equally to players across both teams.

The Daily Telegraph, Agencies