England stars frustrated as bonus row is set to drag on during the Women’s World Cup in Australia… with no sign of a breakthrough in talks between the FA and Sarina Wiegman’s squad ahead of their first game next week
- Fullback Lucy Bronze has hit out at ‘frustrating’ stand-off over bonuses
- The Football Association is refusing to award bonuses at the World Cup
- Talks have been ongoing between the FA and Sarina Wiegman’s squad
England’s players remain frustrated that the Football Association is refusing to award bonuses at the World Cup, with the Lionesses’ first game just six days away.
The governing body decided they would not pay players extra money on top of what they will receive from FIFA for taking part in the tournament before the squad flew out to Australia on July 5.
Talks then resumed just before Sarina Wiegman’s side boarded their flight Down Under and have continued since they arrived at their preparation camp on the Sunshine Coast, but to no avail.
Mail Sport understands there has been back and forth between senior players and officials at the FA, with the squad frustrated at a number of issues around the discussions.
Wiegman said this week that she wanted the issue to be resolved quickly but a resolution before England’s opening game with Haiti on July 22 looks unlikely.
England’s players could have to wait until after the Women’s World Cup for the stand-off over bonuses to be resolved
England fullback Lucy Bronze recently hit out at the ‘frustrating’ stand-off over bonuses
‘Of course I hope it is solved quickly and before the tournament starts,’ Wiegman told Sky Sports.
‘As a coach, you want it solved. I’m not involved in those discussions, it is something between the players and the FA. The players have not been speaking to me about it.
‘They are very focused in training sessions and meetings. I just know it is something that needs to be solved and I hope there will be a quick solution.’
The Professional Footballers’ Association have offered support at the players’ request.
A new pay-structure was brought in for this World Cup after pressure from players’ union Fifpro, with FIFA set to award every player competing in the group stage $30,000 (£26,000). The further teams progress, the higher the reward, with every player in the winning team pocketing $270,00 (£141,000).
This is the first time players will be directly compensated for their participation in the tournament and is thought to be higher than previous FA bonuses paid in previous years.
Before the new pay structure, it was up to federations as to whether they would distribute prize money to players.
It is understood that the Lionesses’ main frustration at the FA’s decision is that the governing body portrays itself as a world-leading federation in the women’s game, but is failing to match the United States and Australia – who are paying bonuses on top of FIFA’s payments.
Both countries have collective bargaining agreements in place, while England do not, which makes negotiations on a number of issues more difficult.
Mail Sport understands that there will be a push for this to be implemented in the future, but it is too late for this to be done before the World Cup starts.
Other European nations, including Germany, have followed a similar route to the FA and will not pay extra bonuses to players.
Sarina Wiegman’s side arrive in Australia with high expectations after Euro 2022 success
The FA distributed £10,000 to each player to help players’ families attend the World Cup, which is in-line with what the men’s team receive around tournaments.
But players have also been frustrated by the lack of consideration on the commercial strategy around the World Cup.
The FA’s strict media blackout, which began on June 19, restricted players’ ability to take part in sponsorship campaigns and opportunities.
The FA have so far declined to comment on the situation.
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