US women’s team have options after setback
League will begin testing players
WASHINGTON, May 5, (AP): Players for the US women’s national team may have been dealt a blow by a judge’s ruling in their gender discrimination lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation but the case is far from over.
The women have vowed to keep up the fight, encouraged by the likes of Joe Biden, Billie Jean King and even the men’s national team.
“This is just a setback,” King said when asked what she would tell the
In this July 7, 2019 file photo, United States’ Megan Rapinoe, (left), talks to her teammate Alex Morgan, (right), after winning the Women’s World Cup final soccer match against Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines,
outside Lyon, France. (AP)
team. “There’s so many of these ups and downs. Just keep learning from it, keep going for it. You’re still such a great influence, not only in soccer, but for equality for everyone.”
King, who was calling for equitable prize money in tennis in the 1970s, once famously proclaimed: “Everyone thinks women should be thrilled when we get crumbs, and I want women to have the cake, the icing and the cherry on top, too.”
The players sued the federation last year, claiming they have not been paid equally under their collective bargaining months, dealing a heavy financial blow to clubs and national associations.
The English Football Association, which owns Wembley Stadium and runs the national teams, is cutting its annual budget by 75 million pounds ($93 million) as it tries to offset a potential deficit of 300 million pounds over the next four years.
“It’s hard to foresee crowds of fans - who are the lifeblood of the game – returning to matches any time soon,” FA chairman Greg Clarke said.
Like in Germany, soccer in England and Spain was suspended in March. Both the Premier League and La Liga are hoping to resume in June, although squads are still being kept away from clubs.
Widespread COVID-19 testing of Spanish league players will begin this week as they are expected to return to training fields for individual fitness sessions while respecting social distancing measures.
“The return of football is a sign that society is progressing towards the new normal,” Spanish league president Javier Tebas said. “It will also bring back an element of life that people in Spain and around the world know and love.
“People’s health is paramount, so we have a comprehensive protocol to safeguard the health of everyone involved as we work to restart La Liga. Circumstances are unprecedented, but we hope to start playing again in June and finish our ‘19-’20 season this summer.”
A month’s training is anticipated before games can resume, although the timetable will depend on how governments unlock their lockdowns.
Spain, Italy and Britain have been the hardest hit by the pandemic in Europe with each country recording more than 25,000 known deaths.
The Premier League’s plans to resume have been rocked by some relegation-threatened teams opposing plans for games at neutral stadiums to prevent fans gathering outside.
The early termination of the French season on government orders last week has already sparked recriminations.
Amiens is asking the league to review its decision to relegate the club from the top-flight, launching a petition on Monday to “demand justice for
In this Sept 20, 2017 file photo, Hertha’s scorer Salomon Kalou celebrates his side’s 2nd goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between
Hertha BSC Berlin and Bayer 04 Leverkusen in Berlin, Germany. (AP)