Euro 2022: German Women’s National Team Won’t Get Equal Pay

Players for Germany’s women’s national team will continue to be paid less than their male counterparts for taking the pitch during the UEFA Women’s Euros.

The German Football Association has still not agreed to grant equal play for its men’s and women’s national team players, according to Forbes. Women’s players will earn $61,000 for winning the tournament, while men’s players could have earned a whopping $407,000. 

While the federation’s director Oliver Bierhoff reportedly cited revenue disparities, the decision is hardly reflective of the popularity of European women’s soccer. 

• Earlier this week, England and Austria set a fan attendance record for the UEFA Women’s Euro, drawing almost 69,000. 
• A record was set earlier this year for women’s soccer worldwide, when a Champions league gmatch between Barcelona and Wolfsburg drew 91,648 fans.

Several other nations have recognized the value in the women’s game. 

By the end of 2020, Denmark, Finland, the U.K., and Norway had granted equal pay between men’s and women’s national team players. The Netherlands has agreed to equitable victory bonuses, and Spain inked contracts for equal pay and travel perks. 

In May, U.S. players signed a collective bargaining agreement that ensured equal pay, as well.