Gender Inequality in Soccer: Female Athletes Struggle for Equal Pay and Support

Women's Soccer Players Still Struggle with Second-Class Citizenship

During a World Cup match between Japan and the Netherlands, police officers seized a drum from a large group of passionate fans who had been loudly cheering throughout the game. The crowd was composed mnly of supporters for the Japanese team, waving flags and chanting in Japanese as they beat their drum enthusiastically.

The confiscation of this drum stripped women's soccer, professional sports, and female athletes of a crucial element: the spirited audience that can drive market appeal, leading to sponsorships and increased media coverage. If fans were able to purchase tickets regularly for games on television, it would reduce the burden on many female World Cup players who have to supplement their full-time jobs with trning and playing.

Abby Wambach, one of the top players in the world, stands as an exception among women's soccer athletes; she earns an annual salary of $190,000 which is slightly more than what a day earns for second-highest pd male player Lionel Messi. While Wambach is fortunate to earn her living as a professional athlete, most female soccer players are not so fortunate.

Worldwide domestic women's leagues struggle with pay ranges between $6,000 and $30,000, which is significantly lower than the average salaries for men in similar positions. As I watched the athletes race up and down the field with skillful shots and stamina, it saddened me to see that female soccer players are still considered second-class citizens.

Improvements have been made recently, such as growing television viewership, corporate interest, and ad revenue compared to the 2011 Women's World Cup. However, examples of FIFA's complacency towards women's sports continue, including its lack of leadership in investing resources into women's soccer development.

FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke dismissed the idea of equal pay during a December 2014 press conference when asked about this disparity:

The comparison between the prize money of the men's World Cup in Brazil and the women's World Cup in Canada is nonsense, reported Reuters.

We played the 30th men's World Cup in 2014, and we are playing the seventh women's World Cup; things can grow step-by-step. We are still another 23 World Cups before potentially women should receive the same amount as men.

Valcke's statement reflects FIFA's persistent reluctance to support women's soccer development. The organization seems content with a status quo that fls to see female athletes' abilities, hard work, and sacrifices equal to those of their male counterparts.

A lack of leadership from within FIFA is evident given that it only elected its first female executive member two years ago. Despite this, the organization consistently undermines its female players.

The abuse women face in sports not only harms rights but also highlights a lack of equality in football's governing body. By not supporting women and their potential, FIFA ss a message that it doesn't prioritize development in women's sports.

A truly great organization should assist and encourage women to reach their maximum capabilities. As the international spotlight on female soccer athletes grows stronger than ever before, now is the time for fundamental change in how female players are supported by their governing bodies like FIFA.

Sources:

FIFA Has No Plans To Give Women Equal World Cup Pay Any Time Soon

How FIFA Has Hurt Women’s Soccer

Why the Women's World Cup Needs You to Watch

Sponsors catch on to booming womens’ sport

Empowering Girls and Women through Physical Education and Sport

The 10 Highest Pd Women Soccer Stars

Edited by Olivia Yang
This article is reproduced from: https://international.thenewslens.com/article/24417

Please indicate when reprinting from: https://www.ko74.com/Female_images/Women_Soccer_Struggle_Second_Class_Citizenship.html