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FIFA announce increased prize money for women’s World Cup
KIGALI, Oct 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – FIFA are to double the prize money on
offer at the women’s World Cup in time for next year’s tournament in France,
president Gianni Infantino confirmed on Friday.
Speaking at the end of a FIFA Council meeting in the Rwandan capital
Kigali, Infantino confirmed an overall contribution of $50 million for the 24
participating nations.
This is, he said, “more than three times the amount paid in 2015,” when
the competition was held in Canada.
“Concretely this means a 100 percent increase in prize money from 15 to
$30 million,” Infantino added.
The added funds also include $11.5 million to help teams organise friendly
matches before the World Cup, as well as $8.5 million to reward clubs
releasing players for the tournament.
Nevertheless, players union FIFPro released a statement to say that much
more needed to be done towards achieving gender equality.
“Despite these changes football remains even further from the goal of
equality for all World Cup players regardless of gender,” it said.
“In reality, the changes actually signify an increase in the gap between
men’s and women’s prize money. This regressive trend appears to contravene
FIFA’s statutory commitment to gender equality.”
In comparison, the prize money for this year’s 32-team men’s World Cup in
Russia was $400 million, a $48 million increase from 2014. That included $38
million going to the winners, France.
Next year’s World Cup will be staged in France from June 7 to July 7. The
2015 tournament, won by the United States, was the first women’s World Cup to
involve 24 teams.
BSS/AFP/BZC/2030HRS