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FIFPRO global survey shows impact wage cuts and job losses have had on women's professional football
16 November 2020
A new global survey by FIFPRO has shown that wage cuts and job losses have negatively impacted women footballers as the impact of COVID-19 affects women’s professional football .
The survey results, based on data collected from national player unions in 62 different countries from July through to October 2020, show that in 47 per cent of the countries surveyed women footballers had wages cut or suspended.
In 40 per cent of countries, players received no mental or physical health support and in 69 per cent of countries, communication with players was regarded as 'poor' or 'very poor'.
The concern is that any possible recent gains towards gender equality in the sport are potentially at risk.
Amanda Vandervort, FIFPRO Chief Women’s Football Officer, said: “Like most industries, women’s football is being severely affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the findings of this survey highlight what we have said from the outset, that both players and the game itself need strategic support to get them through these tough times."
Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO General Secretary, added: “The results of this survey underline the extent to which women footballers are routinely overlooked in many parts of the world. Yet there are also positive steps by some stakeholders to invest in and support women’s football during the pandemic."
The positive steps mentioned by Baer-Hoffman include:
- In Italy, the national football federation said in June it began working with the government to give the women’s league professional status
- In Argentina, the national federation announced a five-year plan in September to extend the professionalisation of the women’s league
- In the Netherlands, players successfully lobbied the government for the women’s league to return to play along with the men’s league
- In the United States, the NWSL players association and the league negotiated contract guarantees for players covering salary, housing and benefits
To read the survey findings in full please click on the link here to download.
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The findings of this survey highlight what we have said from the outset, that both players and the game itself need strategic support to get them through these tough times."
Amanda Vandervort
FIFPRO Chief Women’s Football Officer