US women’s players agree to settlement with federation
NEW YORK: The United States women’s squad have agreed a setlement deal with the US Soccer Federation on outstanding claims over working conditions, it was announced on Tuesday.
The agreement, filed in a California federal court, was focused on travel, hotel accommodations, match venues and staffing, while seting up an appeal from players over a court ruling last May that rejected many of their claims for equal pay to male players in a wage discrimination lawsuit.
US Soccer president Cindy Cone, who took over the post earlier this year, called the settlement “an important and welcomed moment for US Soccer and the women’s national team players”.
“I believe our approach helped us reach this agreement and demonstrates the commitment of US Soccer’s new leadership to find a new way forward with the USWNT. This setlement is good news for everyone and I believe will serve as a springboard for continued progress.”
Terms of the deal would begin immediately but would not address past actions or involve payments to the women, whose litigation could lead to millions of dollars in back pay if successful.
Cone said she hoped the “positive step forward” would lead to the women’s players “accepting our standing offer to discuss contract options”.
Cone, a former US women’s player, said she was “commited to equality” between the US men’s and women’s teams, adding: “My goal is, and has always been, to come to a resolution on all equal pay maters and inspire a new era of collaboration, partnership and trust.”
The US won its fourth Women’s World Cup title in France last year.
Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati midfielder Frankie Amaya has tested positive for Covid-19 and will be replaced in the US national team training camp for next week’s friendly against El Salvador.
US Soccer announced Tuesday that Orlando City midfielder Andres Perea would replace Amaya on the American roster for the first US home match since the pandemic, set for Dec.9 at Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Amaya is in self-isolation and observing quarantine protocols ater testing positive during the US team’s camp arrival test.
He had been negative in pre-arrival tests, said US Soccer, which noted no other delegation members have tested positive.