Share

Female players to go on strike in Spain over pay and conditions

Madrid - Almost 200 female footballers in Spain from various first division clubs have voted to go on strike over pay and working conditions.

The vote late Tuesday won the support of 93 per cent of 188 players from 16 clubs after more than a year of failed negotiations with the Association of Women's Football Clubs (ACFF).

Clubs are proposing part-time salaries worth €8,000 a year while the players are demanding a minumum of €12,000, amounting to 75 per cent of minimum full-time contracts.

"We are footballers 24 hours a day, 100 per cent of the time," said Ainhoa Tirapu, goalkeeper for Athletic Bilbao and the Spanish national team.

"We hope to reach an agreement at some point but we had to take drastic action because the time for women's football is now."

A date for the start of the strike has not been set but it could affect the Women's Champions League, with Atletico Madrid playing against Manchester City next week.

"We want an agreement now, that is worthy and with equality," said David Aganzo, president of the Association of Women's Players (AFE).

"We have enjoyed talking about all the positive things in women's football, many of them on show at the World Cup, but the players also need an improvement in their working conditions, that recognise what they do. In the 21st century, women deserve respect."

Last season, women's football enjoyed a record-breaking season in Spain as 60,739 people turned out to watch Barcelona play Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano in March.

But when the two sides met again last month, Barca's victory was not even shown on television.

"It was disappointing," Atletico's Toni Duggan told AFP earlier this month. "Last season there were 60,000 people in the stadium and they can't even televise the game the next year.

"If it's like that, how you do build? How do you progress?"

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE