Bronze looked disappointed but not surprised by the FA's stance. Credit: FA/Naomi Baker
Lucy Bronze says it's disappointing that an agreement on performance-related bonuses for the team at this summer's Women's World Championships wasn't finalized before they traveled to Australia.
Clearly, discussions between the team and the Football Association over bonuses have not subsided, and there remains some hope that an agreement can be reached. According to sources, the PFA continues to support the Liones players in these negotiations.
The 32-team World Championship this summer will be the first women's championship where players from each participating team receive awards. individual prize money payments from FIFA, i.e. each player whose team wins the trophy will receive $270,000, while all those eliminated in the group stage will receive $30,000.
England players hoped the FA would add a bonus to this FIFA-sponsored bounty, but so far no deal has been reached.
«It's frustrating, but I think the women's game was basically like that,» Bronza said. «As a team we've always worked in the background, it's only recently that it's become more public and people know about it, but that's what we've always had to do as players.»
“Someone like [former England captain] Steph Houghton had previously done a lot of work behind the scenes that was probably not reported and people didn’t know that much about it. I think we are in a similar situation right now and I think the goal of the players and everyone involved in women's football is to take it to the next level and raise the ceiling without wanting a ceiling to be set for our game , and making sure we leave the game in a better place than where we found it.»
Bronze's tribute to the retiring Rapino
The Bronze also hailed American star Megan Rapino's contribution to the fight for change off the field for the women's game and beyond. Rapino, a former Ballon d'Or winner, has announced she will retire at the end of 2023. Bronze said: “The icon is often used, but it remains an icon on and off the pitch. The way she stood up and spoke out on so many issues is incredible, it has changed the lives of so many people around the world.”
World Cup winning American team Rapinoe will also be among the favorites when the summer tournament kicks off on July 20th. England's first leg is on 22 July against Haiti and the European champions, whose captain Millie Bright is now back in full training. after a knee injury — they seemed to be in a relaxed mood on Sunday, practicing in front of about 3,000 people at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
Brighton winger Kathy Robinson has completed an easy workout because she has a very minor ankle injury. Then all the lionesses signed autographs for the crowd.
The day also saw the traditional smoking ceremony held by the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people, according to Aboriginal custom, to greet the lionesses, wish them good luck and protect them. from a bad mood. The Football Association also invited members of the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi tribe, who live in South East Queensland, where the England team is based ahead of their first match in Brisbane, to present their official team numbers for the tournament to the players.
«We We hope you enjoy watching us and maybe even cheer for us,” head coach Sarina Wigman said as she addressed the crowd, thanking all the local spectators for coming. “We came here with a dream and really want this dream to come true.”
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