The Matildas have withdrawn from training, demanding better pay.

by Mamamia Team September 9, 2015

Australia’s best female soccer stars want better pay and conditions. And we can see why.

The Westfield Matildas are demanding better pay — and they’ve withdrawn from a training camp until the Football Federation Australia (FFA) comes up with a decent offer.

The national women’s soccer team withdrew from the training camp on Tuesday after negotiations with FFA did not go as planned. According to Fairfax Media, if the dispute is not resolved, the players may also boycott two sold-out games in the US scheduled for 17 and 20 September.

Fairfax reports the Matildas asked for a pay rise during the negotiations.

Currently, the players have a contractual base salary of about $21,000 per annum, plus about $500 in match fees. (Those match payments are about 15 times less than the men’s national soccer team, the Socceroos, who got paid approximately $7,500 per match during the World Cup.)

The Matildas asked for a pay rise during the negotiations. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Matildas also sought changes to their work conditions including more flexibility in their contracts to allow players to pursue work overseas, as well as better travel conditions to ensure they’d be on par with their male counterparts.

When those demands were rejected, the soccer players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia, reportedly instructed Matildas players not to attend training.

The team’s goalkeeper Lydia Williams told Fairfax the decision had been a hard one to make, but that the team ultimately felt it had been “disrespected”.

“[I]t is simply unfair to continue to expect us to make enormous sacrifices to play for Australia,” Williams said.

“I think hurt is the best way to describe it. I think a lot of us felt disrespected today, I don’t even think there was any kind of negotiation, it think it was more of a brief meeting and then sent on our way… We are simply asking FFA do their bit so we can grow the game together.”

“[I]t is simply unfair to continue to expect us to make enormous sacrifices to play for Australia,” Williams said.

Following the Matildas’ withdrawal from the training, the FFA condemned the Professional Footballers Australia’s involvement in the matter.

“Today the PFA instructed Matildas players not to attend the final training camp in Sydney ahead of Friday’s scheduled departure to play two matches in the USA on 17 and 20 September,” it said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Matildas coach Alen Stajcic and team management were not informed of the action. Today’s training session was cancelled. The status of the tour to the USA is in doubt.”

The statement also claimed that the FFA had previously agreed with the union that an immediate ten per cent pay increase would be the priority for changes to The Matildas’ funding.

Currently, Matildas players have a contractual base salary of about $21,000 per annum, plus about $500 in match fees per standard international game. (Photos: Getty Images)

“The new demands are simply not affordable and the PFA knows it,” FFA’s chief executive officer David Gallop said in a statement.

“FFA will continue to pursue an agreement that’s sensible and protects the interests of the game, it’s time to reach agreement and stop the game-playing.”

Well, Mr Gallop: Perhaps if women were paid the same as their male counterparts, the game could go on…

Gallery: Some sportswomen to watch.

Female Aussie sportswomen to watch.

Leisel Jones.

Elizabeth Cambage.

Stephanie Gilmore.

Torah Bright.

Edwina Tops.

Catherine Cox.

Anna Meares.

Cathy Freeman.

Sam Stosur.

Madonna Blyth.