Welsh FA agrees landmark equal pay deal until 2027 which will see the women’s national team paid the same as the men – with Rob Page’s squad unanimously agreeing to take a pay cut to allow the move to happen
- Football Association of Wales announced a record equal pay deal on Wednesday
- For the first time, men’s and women’s national players will be paid the same
- The landmark deal lasts until 2027 and covers a World Cup for men and women
- The men will take a 25 per cent pay cut to allow a 25 per cent rise for the women
- Rob Page’s men’s side unanimously agreed to the reduction in their match fee
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced a record equal pay deal on Wednesday.
For the first time ever, Welsh men’s and women’s senior national players will be paid the same for representing their country, with the landmark deal, lasting until 2027, will spans the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the women’s World Cup the year after.
Rob Page’s men’s side unanimously agreed to take a 25 per cent pay cut to allow a 25 per cent rise for the women, to help allow the move to happen.
The Football Association of Wales has announced a landmark equal pay deal on Wednesday
Rob Page’s men’s side unanimously agreed to a 25 per cent pay cut to expedite the move
A joint statement from the men’s and women’s team said: ‘Together Stronger has been the mantra across the Cymru (Wales) national teams for us all, both on and off the pitch as we look to put Wales on the world stage.
‘As part of the FAW’s strive towards equality, we are now proud to announce that together, our men’s and women’s teams have agreed to an equal pay structure for future international matches.
‘We hope that this will allow future generations of boys and girls to see that there is equality across Welsh international football, which is important for society as a whole.
Welsh women’s senior players will now be paid the same as the men for international matches
‘With this agreement in place, we will now look ahead to the Euro 2024 and 2025 qualifying campaigns, as we aim to see further success across both our senior teams in the near future.’
Wales join England, the USA, Australia, Brazil, Norway and New Zealand in paying men and women the same fee for international matches.
The announcement comes after more than a year of negotiations, with FAW chief executive Noel Mooney’s talks with Wales women’s captain Sophie Ingle, record cap-holder Jess Fishlock and record scorer Helen Ward now resulting in official parity.
The announcement comes after more than a year of negotiations, with the FAW’s talks with women’s captain Sophie Ingle (above) and record cap-holder Jess Fishlock paying off
Wales women’s boss Gemma Grainger told the BBC: ‘I am really happy about the equal pay, it is about equality. We want our players to embody Together Stronger, the collaboration with the men’s team is something we want to continue.
‘Hopefully that collaboration will continue to grow. Equality and making sure what we have here is equal is so important to us. The women’s game is growing and will continue to grow.’
Mooney added: ‘The FAW is a modern, progressive movement that seeks to improve each day. This is another step towards becoming one of the world’s great sports organisations and we thank both the men’s and women’s squads for their brilliant co-operation in getting this agreed.’