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Norway’s Football Association have agreed a deal that will see male and female international players receive the same financial compensation for representing their country, with the men making a financial contribution to the women’s team.

The Norwegian FA are doubling the remuneration pot for the women, from 3.1m Norwegian kroner (£296,000) to a total of 6m kroner (£574,000). The figure also includes a contribution of 550,000 kroner by the male players, money they currently receive for commercial activities undertaken as part of the national teams. 

Joachim Wallten, the Players’ Union boss, said: “Norway is a country where equal standing is very important for us, so I think it is good for the country and for the sport.

“For the girls, it will certainly make a difference. Some of them are actually working and studying, as well as playing football, and it’s hard to improve then.

“The feeling of being really respected is very important for them. The federation can see it as an investment to increase the level of the women’s team."

National team winger Caroline Graham Hansen immediately took to Instagram to thank her male colleagues for their donation. 

“Thank you for making this step for female athletes. For showing equality and helping us all, making it a bit easier, to chase our dreams,” she wrote alongside a picture of the men’s side.

"This was maybe a small thing for you to do for us, this will maybe not show in your monthly wages, this was maybe an obvious move for you to do.

“This means everything for us, for our team, our sport, and for all the female athletes out there, who do the same work, the same sport as men do, but get paid less.

"For you to say that equal pay is how it should be, makes me want to cry. It makes me want to hug you all.

"Thank you for making this step for female athletes. For showing equality and for helping us all, making it a bit easier, to chase our dreams. To make them come true. RESPECT #equalgame #equalpay."

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