McCabe welcomes equal-pay agreement for Ireland men and women’s teams

REPUBLIC of Ireland senior women’s team captain Katie McCabe has welcomed the three-way agreement that will see players with both the men’s and women’s national teams receiving the same match fees on international duty.

Talks between representatives of the men’s and women’s squads that were brokered by FAI CEO Jonathan Hill and Ciaran Medlar reached a successful conclusion ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualification games for both outfits.

The men’s squad have agreed to reduce their international fees, with the FAI matching their contribution to ensure that the senior women’s team match fee is increased and all male and female players receive the same match fee from the September international window onwards.

The FAI has also agreed equality of approach with the senior men’s and women’s squad with regard to any future tournament qualification.

Delighted with the agreement, McCabe said “This is a great day for Irish football. We have taken a huge step forward with this deal and have shown the world what can be achieved through unity as we offer male and female international players the same opportunities.

“I am very proud as Ireland captain of the work that has been put in to get us to this point, not just by the current team, but by so many Irish players in the past.

“They are the real heroes in this story. They took a stand and they passed on the baton to the current generation.

“Seamus Coleman and his team-mates in the senior men’s squad also deserve credit for being brave enough to support us in such a progressive way on this issue. It is really appreciated.

“I also want to thank Jonathan Hill and Ciaran Medlar for their roles in this agreement.

“The relationship between the FAI and the senior women’s team is stronger than I have ever known it and we look forward to continuing to work together to make Irish football better for everyone who plays our game, regardless of their identity or background” said the Kilnamanagh woman.

Ireland senior men’s team skipper Seamus Coleman echoed those sentiments saying “On behalf of the senior men’s squad, I welcome this news today.

“We are delighted as players to do what we can to ensure that our female international players are treated equally and fairly and we remain fully committed to doing whatever we can to achieve that goal together.

“This deal is the right one for everyone who plays international football for Ireland, no matter which team they represent.

“We have been working towards this agreement for some time now with Katie, Jonathan and Ciaran and I hope this acts as an inspiration to many other nations to follow suit.”