Matildas Call on FIFA for Equality and Legacy at Women’s World Cup
In the lead-up to the Women’s World Cup, the Australian national women’s soccer team, the Matildas, have come together to issue a powerful message to FIFA. All 23 squad members feature in a video released by the players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia, calling on the football governing body to back up their words with action and ensure that the tournament leaves a lasting legacy.
The video, which echoes the Socceroos’ human rights push before the men’s World Cup in Qatar, highlights the rights that past and present Matildas have fought for. It includes players such as Tameka Yallop, Sam Kerr, and Katrina Gorry, who were involved in a strike for better pay and conditions in 2015.
One of the major issues addressed in the video is the disparity in prize money between men and women’s tournaments. Yallop points out that while collective bargaining has allowed the Matildas to secure the same conditions as the Socceroos, FIFA still only offers women one quarter of the prize money that men receive for the same achievement. The overall prize pool for the women’s World Cup stands at US$110 million, compared to US$440 million for the men’s tournament.
Kate Gill, co-chief executive of the PFA, emphasized the need for FIFA to prioritize equality. Despite some progress, Gill argues that FIFA’s claim of equality is undermined by the fact that there are “a few weasel words” in their commentary. She asserts that with FIFA’s $4 billion reserves, they can afford to spend and equalize things now.
The video also touches on the importance of past Matildas teams who fought for recognition, validation, and respect. The current squad recognizes how they have built on the work of their predecessors and hopes to leave the game in a better place for future generations.
The video concludes with thinly veiled messages to Football Australia (FA) and the A-League, urging those in power to provide opportunities for women and girls and to support the growth of women’s football. The Matildas hope that their call to arms will inspire positive change within the sport.
The current Matildas collective bargaining agreement has been extended until the end of the Women’s World Cup, with discussions expected to resume afterward. The team is determined to continue the fight for equality and improve conditions for women’s football in Australia and around the world.
As the Women’s World Cup kicks off, the Matildas’ message serves as a reminder that progress and equality are still an ongoing battle in the world of women’s soccer.