(Reuters) – The U.S. women’s national team can press ahead with their appeal over equal pay claims after a judge yesterday approved a settlement between the United States Football Federation (USSF) and the players over working conditions.
The women’s team sued their governing body in 2019, alleging sex discrimination in compensation and almost all other aspects of playing conditions and months later won their fourth World Cup as fans chanted “equal pay” during the round final.
Judge R. Gary Klausner of the United States District Court for the Central District of California last year threw out players ‘claims that they were underpaid compared to the men’s national team and weeks later denied the players’ motion to appeal until the settlement working conditions element.
Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said they planned to appeal Klausner’s ruling on equal pay after the judge gave final approval to the settlement on working conditions, which include travel and play conditions.
“We are as committed to our work as ever to achieving the legal pay we deserve and are focused on the future and making the game a better place for the next generation of women and who will play for this team and our country, ”said Levinson.
In a statement, the USSF, known as US Soccer, said the women’s team refused to meet unless the federation “agreed to make up the difference” in prize money given by the governing body of FIFA football in the Cup the World men and women.
“We remain hopeful that we can reach a decision outside the court system,” said US Soccer. “We have offered USWNT the exact compensation provided to our men’s players for every game managed by US Soccer.”
The United States women’s team faces France in a friendly match today as they prepare to compete at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.