THERE ARE growing calls for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to give equal pay to Ireland’s women’s and men’s international soccer teams.
It comes after a week in which both the Brazilian and English FAs announced the introduction of equal pay for their international teams.
Earlier this year, the World Cup winning United States women's team also took their federation to court alleging discrimination over pay and conditions.
Though a judge dismissed their case earlier this year, the US women's team have appealed the verdict.
Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews is now calling on the FAI to follow the example of the Brazilian and English FA.
He argued that in doing so, they would encourage more women to take up the sport and sent an important message to younger generations.
Speaking on RTE 2fm’s Game On, the Dublin Bay South TD said he would be writing to the association calling for pay equality.
"This week we saw the progressive move by both the Brazilian FA and English FA that male and female footballers will be paid the same amount to represent their national teams,” the Sinn Féin spokesperson on sport said.
"They join a mere handful of nations across the world that have that have enacted pay parity for male and female international footballers.
"The FAI has an opportunity to put Ireland to the fore of gender equality across the EU.
"I will be writing to the FAI asking for pay equality to be established for female footballers representing the national team.
"To develop greater participation in sport by women, equal pay and supports while representing your country must be a core principle."
Back in 2017, the Irish women’s team boycotted a training session in an attempt to shine a light on the inferior facilities and conditions they have to contend with compared with the male team.
Vera Pauw's Ireland side currently sit top of their qualification group for the 2021 European Championships and are due to face Germany later this month.
