US Women’s equal pay claim dismissed

Washington: The United States women’s football team’s bid for equal pay has been dismissed by a court, with the judge rejecting the players’ claims they were underpaid compared to the men.

The lawsuit was filed by 28 women’s national team players last year against the US Soccer Federation (USSF).

They had been seeking $66m (£52.8m) in damages under the Equal Pay Act.

Molly Levinson, the players’ spokeswoman, said that they planned to appeal against the decision.

“We are shocked and disappointed,” said Levinson. “We will not give up our hard work for equal pay. Before they played Japan in the SheBelieves Cup on 12 March, the US players turned their tops inside out during the warm-up to hide their badges, leaving only the four stars which represent their World Cup successes on show.

sued a statement criticising the governing body.