Sen. Patrick Leahy (D) from Vermont called out FIFA for being sexist because of massive pay gaps between men’s and women’s soccer.
Leahy went up in arms as the Senate learned that after winning the World Cup, the US Women’s team received a mere $2 million whereas the men’s champions earned $35 million.
What made it worse was that the US Men’s team made $8 million for being eliminated in the second round, a very hefty incentive for losing.
Leahy cited that:
?Revenue should not be and cannot be used for discrimination. ? In fact, they ought to ask how many people watched that women’s soccer people. Most people would give anything to have that viewership.?
This year’s Women’s World Cup final drew a record-breaking 20 million viewers.
Leahy also said:
?The 2014 women that took part in the tournament are role models, not just to girls but to men and boys across the world. They should be awarded for their grit, their performance and teamwork rather than devalued for their gender.?
FIFA needs to follow the trend of tennis, as Wimbledon winners Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic were awarded the same pay for their on court performances and respective championships. Wimbledon has been giving equal prize money since 2007, which is light years ahead of other sport organizations.
Leahy finished by saying:
“With the resolution I’ll introduce today, let the Senate be on record in support of fair treatment for all world cup champions, and we urge FIFA to change its policy, just as the All England Club did years ago. The fight for gender equality continues.?
Pay inequity isn’t the only thing women in FIFA face. Some female players suffer from nasty burns for being forced to play on artificial turf even when the temperature surpasses the 120-degree threshold.?While a sexism lawsuit may be unlikely to actually happen, FIFA is still walking on very thin ice given the reelection and resignation of its president.
Watch the video of Leahy’s speech below:
