BONUS TIME
Minimum payment boost for finals squad
IRELAND players will be paid a minimum of €28,000 each at the World Cup in Australia next June.
The money is guaranteed to each of the 23-strong travelling squad with further, relatively minor, bonuses to include wins, goalscoring and goalkeeping.
Appearance money will also increase dramatically should the girls in green qualify for the Last 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals.
The FAI have remained coy as to what a potential World Cup-winning figure would be but it is estimated the squad, as world champions, would make €100,000 each.
“If you compare it to other women’s team sports, it is fantastic, it is amazing,” said coach Vera Pauw of the package put together for the squad.
“And it will grow, FIFA is aiming for equal payment by 2027 so it is really amazing – nobody would have ever thought that would happen and this is a huge, huge step.
“I would, as a player, have never even been dreaming of this situation that every player would get at least €28,000 in their bank account, so it is fantastic.
“This should be celebrated in its own right as comparisons with the men’s game are pointless,” says Pauw.
“Everyone is moaning about that it is not yet like the men, you have to be realistic.
“If you see the big countries not willing to pay the normal price for the TV rights, like Ireland does, then you question yourself about which direction do we go.
“We expect the max, we expect equal payment but the tv is not paying for what they get. If that starts to be the case, then we are very close.
“Yeah, it (the amount) changes lives, it changes opportunities and a recognition to be a top athlete. That is also important, even if they buy a car from it, it will already make a difference in their lives.”
As for the near-future, the current FAI/VERA Pauw contract finishes at the end of the World Cup with the coach saying she has been around the table.
“We are talking,” and added that a deal may be reached before departure for Australia. “I hope so, I hope so but we will see.”