Lewes chief executive Maggie Murphy says it would be “incredibly powerful” if FIFA’s talk of equal prize money for men’s and women’s World Cups became reality.
Lewes have been campaigning for equal sharing of the total FA Cup prize fund as they prepare for Sunday’s historic quarter-final at home against Manchester United in the women’s competition.
On Thursday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the world governing body’s ambition was to have equality in payments for the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups, adding that “broadcasters and sponsors have to do more”.
Murphy told the PA news agency: “I think the important thing is prize money is now being put on the agenda as something that is up for debate and has been seen to have too much disparity until now.
“I think it’s really important that the players called for equal prize money for the World Cup, and it shows the power of player activism.
“At the moment, from my perspective, this is a nice pledge so far, and it is significant, because we’ve never seen FIFA say this – but when it comes to FIFA, the proof is in the pudding.
“I really look forward to seeing if these words actually turn into action – and FIFA can also take a step forward and not wait for it to be the result of broadcast and sponsors.
I think the important thing is prize money is now being put on the agenda as something that is up for debate and has been seen to have too much disparity until now
Maggie Murphy
“It would be incredibly powerful if FIFA was to adopt equal prize money for the World Cup – if that happens, I do think there would be a domino effect, so there’s no underestimating the power of that actually happening.
“And I am slightly more optimistic that with that language from FIFA, that puts pressure on the national associations to step up.”
An open letter from Lewes players published earlier this week, addressed to former England midfielder Karen Carney, who was last year commissioned by the Government to lead a review of women’s football, highlighted that the women’s team had earned £45,000 for winning the three matches in their FA Cup run, compared to the £450,000 for sides that had entered the men’s third round and reached the quarter-finals.
It pointed out that while the overall women’s prize fund rose to £3million for this season, “the men’s increased by close to £4m”.
I’m always proud of my players – but doubly so today.
I like that they are being brave. I like that they are thinking of the next generation. I like that they are valuing themselves and their opposition. I like that they are leading. https://t.co/ZpBGojcSfs
— Maggie Murphy (@MaggieMrphy) March 14, 2023
Murphy says the increase on the women’s side was “a good step forward” but the disparity was something for which “we can’t settle”.
Lewes, who began their campaign a few years ago, have proposals on their official website for distributing the total prize fund, Murphy says, “without having to spend a penny more, but in a way that would feed the whole football ecosystem”.
Murphy has expressed her pride in the players’ “bravery” in leading the campaign, and said the success of the England women’s team’s open letter regarding access to sport in schools had been inspiring and “fuelled them to continue down the road they had started”.
Lewes, who are fan-owned and have equal playing budgets for their women’s and men’s teams, could face some of the Lionesses in Sunday’s sold-out tie against Women’s Super League title-chasers United at the Dripping Pan, a first-ever quarter-final for the Championship side.
Murphy said: “I think it’s the biggest game in the club’s history, not just the women’s club. Our team have already made history, so there’s no pressure on their shoulders: they just have to go out there, be bold and big, and represent the club well, which I know they will.
“I don’t think many people would back us, but this is the FA Cup and anything can happen, so we’ll be looking for that 89th-minute winner. You have to dream and believe.”
Following Lewes’ open letter, a Football Association spokesperson said: “The Vitality Women’s FA Cup has seen record levels of investment into the competition, and this season the prize fund has increased almost tenfold, to £3m per season.
“Women’s football continues to be in a growth phase and our primary focus is to attract new audiences to the competition with live matches on free-to-air television with the BBC.
“We are always looking to make further improvements and investment across the women’s game to help it thrive in the future.”
:: Lewes FC announced a three-year partnership with Xero small business accounting software last year. To find out more about how the club and Xero are working together visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsxr58HBqis
Multiple players want to leave the Premier League champions, with potential suitors already lined up
She knew exactly what she was doing.
Thomas Tuchel said "he may never celebrate" with his players despite leading Bayern Munich to a 4-2 win over Borussia Dortmund in his first game in charge on Saturday.The win saw Bayern overtake Dortmund atop the Bundesliga table with a two-point lead.
Our friends @TrojanConquests and @LBCTrojan at the @VoiceOfCFB offered analysis of Duce Robinson to #USC.
Europe's top clubs will have to search elsewhere for new signings, with Napoli making a statement of intent
Aaron Wise revealed that he won't be featuring at The Masters, with the American posting the news via an Instagram story
Some pundits and fans have pleaded for Robert Kraft to "do something" about Bill Belichick amid the Patriots' ongoing struggles. To our Tom E. Curran, it feels like sixth-period study hall all over again.
Balling on and off the court, LeBron James‘s eldest son Bronny James makes a lucrative income after signing multiple NIL deals.
Caitlin Clark is currently operating on another plane of basketball existence. Other sports stars and media took notice last night.
We have a new NXT Women’s Champion at WWE NXT Stand and Deliver. Thanks to a timely assist from Dexter Lumis, Indi Hartwell was able to climb the ladder and become the NXT Women’s Champion for the very first time. Gigi Dolin also had an opportunity to win earlier in the match but was attacked […] The post New Women’s Champion Crowned At WWE NXT Stand And Deliver appeared first on Wrestlezone.
"If it wasn’t for the players, (Augusta) would just be another golf course in Georgia."
Balanced on one of her teammates' outstretched palms, the LSU cheerleader reached towards the backboard and swatted the ball out onto the court.
After South Carolina women's basketball's loss to Iowa in the Final Four, Dawn Staley in an interview called out national media members.
After a rough first two rounds, Daniel James came out swinging in the third. After he knocked out Marcelo Golm, he was talking title shot.
Manchester City's 4-1 rout of Liverpool on Saturday was marred by more off-field trouble as one of English soccer's fiercest rivalries turned toxic again. Despite securing a statement win in the race for the Premier League title, the defending champions were left to condemn an apparent attack on their rivals' team bus and address “hateful” chants from its supporters. Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, was forced to defend his touchline antics, after accusations he showed a lack of respect by celebrating directly in front of Liverpool substitutes Kostas Tsimikas and Arthur Melo.
Cody Rhodes shares his thoughts on MJF potentially coming to WWE. Rhodes and MJF are often linked, as “The American Nightmare” helped bring MJF to All Elite Wrestling in its infancy. Rhodes, an EVP of the company, had a memorable feud with MJF, which cemented the latter’s status as one of the brightest stars in […] The post Cody Rhodes Comments On MJF Potentially Coming To WWE appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Drew McIntyre‘s WWE contract is reportedly set to expire in the near future, and a new update shines some light on the situation. PWInsider recently reported that Drew McIntyre’s contract is coming up in the next year. In an update, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that McIntyre’s deal is up “within the next […] The post Report: Update On Drew McIntyre’s WWE Contract appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Scott's preparation for The Masters seems to be going well, as he pocketed a hole-in-one at the par 3 sixth
Jayda Coleman tied it with a two-run home run, and Kinzie Hansen walked it off with a single in the Sooners come from behind win over Texas. Here's how social media reacted.
Ahead of WrestleMania, WWE held its annual Circle of Champions event in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish Foundation that offered 20 fans the chance to meet some of their favorite Superstars, get a tour of Universal Studios and, of course, attend the greatest night in sports entertainment, WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood. On Friday, Superstars Liv Morgan, Carmella, Finn Balor, Omos, Bayley, and the American Nightmare himself, Cody Rhodes, joined host Alicia Taylor for a wonderful day of giving back