Groundbreaking deal to see pay parity between Matildas and Socceoos

November 5, 2019

The Australian women’s football team, The Matildas, are set to earn the same pay as the men’s Socceroos team under a new landmark deal announced by Football Federation Australia.

The new pay structure, set to be put in place before the end of the week, will make the Matildas the first female team in world football to be guaranteed equal pay to their male counterparts.

The FFA and the Professional Footballers Association, which represented the players, will reportedly see an even split of 40% of the commercial revenue generated by the two teams - and, critically, 40% of the prize money generated by the two teams.

The landmark agreement comes after the PFA called on world football governing body FIFA to raise the prize money pool for the 2019 Women’s World Cup - where the total prize money pool of $US30 million was just 7.5%t of the total prize money pool for the men’s 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia - where the 32 teams competed for a share of $US400 million.

The new deal will help transition fringe Matildas into full-time athletes, instead of pursuing work outside the industry part-time, in order to chase their dreams of playing for Australia.

The Matildas have been consistently high-performers on the world stage in recent years, climbing as high as fourth in the world in 2017.

During the FIFA Womens World Cup earlier this year the women's team reached the knockout stages, taking home $1 million for their efforts.

The Socceroos, meanwhile, failed to win a single game but pocketed $8 million for simply qualifying.

An official announcement is expected later this week.

Image: Matildas star Sam Kerr has called the prospect of a deal "exciting".

30th September 2019 - Queensland Government backs 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

19th August 2019 - FFA announces independent review of national football teams

2nd August 2019 - FIFA Council approves expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup for 2023

24th July 2019 - Australia to send largest ever team to Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games

5th July 2019 - FFA set to allow clubs to again use ethnic symbols and cultural names

1st July 2019 - FFA agrees to independent management for the A-League

26th June 2019 - Women in Football Association looks to eliminate the ‘grass ceiling’

24th June 2019 - Lack of female football facilities threatens development of future Matildas in Victoria

7th June 2019 - FFA and PFA announce move towards gender equity for W-League and A-League player payments

31st May 2019 - FFA Director Heather Reid apologises ‘unreservedly’ to sacked Matildas coach

24th May 2019 - FFA looks for significant Federal Government backing for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

12th April 2019 - FFA secures funding to increase female football participation

8th April 2019 - Football Federation Australia Chair appointed to AFC Executive Committee

22nd February 2019 - Football participation reaches record levels

8th February 2019 - Sport Australia’s Kate Palmer says now is the time to stop talking about ‘women’s sport’

14th May 2018 - New program to help develop up and coming Matildas

13th December 2017 - Westfield Matildas and Sam Kerr top AIS Sport Performance Awards

20th April 2017 - Football Federation Victoria elects three female board directors

3rd May 2016 - Matildas Olympic preparations link with grassroots female football boost

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