The 'Matilda's' will now be paid the same as the 'Socceroo's'.
The Matilda's, Australia’s national women’s soccer team, are set to be paid the same as the Socceroos, their male counterparts, in a world first for international soccer.
Australian newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported that the Football Federation Australia and the Professional Footballers Association union, which represented the players, are set to announce a world-first new pay structure which will be in place before the end of the week.
The agreement means it will become the first country in world football to be guaranteed an equal share of commercial revenue between male and female players.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the two teams will split 40 per cent of the commercial revenue generated as well as 40 per cent of the prize money generated by the two teams.
The move follows pressure on soccer’s world governing body, Fifa, to raise prize money for the Women’s World Cup, which has been doubled to US$60 million for the 2023 edition, though falls further behind the men’s pot, which will grow by US$40 million to US$440 million for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The deal is expected to come into effect for the Matlidas’ friendlies against Chile on 9th and 12th November ahead of their Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifying matches next February against China, Taiwan, and Thailand.
