Players from England's women's football team, who would represent the UK in the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, have announced they would pause discussions over performance-related bonuses until after the competition.
The issue came to light as players from some nations would receive World Cup performance bonuses directly from FIFA, but the Lionesses were not eligible for such, the BBC reported. The payments range from £23,500 ($30,763.15) for players whose teams are knocked out in the group stages to £211,000 ($276,213.77) if they win the tournament.
Countries would also receive prize money, with the champions set to be paid £3.4 million (almost $4.5 million).
Previously, FIFA distributed its prize money to national football associations competing in a Women's World Cup, who would then choose how to distribute it, including any payments to players. The new FIFA model was created to guarantee players from all nations would be able to receive payments, following discussions with the global players' union, FIFPro.
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From your Lionesses x pic.twitter.com/TMvPaLXwHp
— Millie Bright (@Mdawg1bright) July 18, 2023
Lionesses: Bonus Talks to Resume After World Cup
England's Football Association (FA) and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) have been in discussion with the Lionesses about World Cup bonuses this month, but a resolution is yet to be drawn. The FA had previously offered bonuses to the Lionesses, but it was understood the organization believed FIFA's direct payments would be a suitable replacement.
However, players think the FA was being overshadowed by its overseas rivals who were willing to provide bonuses to their players, such as Australia, the US, and Spain.
"We are disappointed that a resolution has still not been achieved," according to a statement by the Lionesses shared by its team captain, Millie Bright. "With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament."
The English team added they collectively felt "a strong responsibility to grow the game," both while playing on the field and off of it.
Lionesses head coach Sarina Wiegman admitted she was not involved with the payment discussions, but told Sky Sports she hoped for a resolution before their first match.
"The players haven't spoken to me about it, we've been focusing on football," she said. "I know that it's something that needs sorting and I really hope there's a quick solution."
Meanwhile, PFA CEO Maheta Molango said while the issues the Lionesses have were "specific to the negotiations with the FA," the team joins players from several countries competing at the World Cup who were "prepared to make a stand when they don't think they are being listened to.
"There will always be consequences when players feel they are having to come back issue by issue to push for parity and progress," he added.
The Lionesses arrived in Brisbane ahead of their first match against the Haitian Grenadiers Saturday (July 22) in their first Group D match in the tournament.
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