Will Denmark Men Footballers' Refusal To Raise Ensure Equal Pay For Women's Team?

The Danish National Men's Football Team has reportedly refused a raise to ensure their basic match fee is equal to their women's counterparts. According to BBC, neither squad was in favour of a move by the Danish Football Association (DBU) to reduce money spent on the men's side to enhance earnings for the women. Instead, the men's team and the player's union, Spillerforeningen, have refused a hike to enable both teams to receive the same pay in a new four-year deal which comes into effect after this summer's UEFA European Football Championship.

Denmark's Struggle For Equal Pay

Spillerforeningen's director Michael Sahl Hansen said in a media statement, "The men's team chose not to demand any changes in the conditions in their new agreement. It's an extraordinary step to help improve the conditions of the women's national teams. So, instead of looking for better conditions for themselves, the players thought about supporting the women's team."

Sahl Hansen stated, "However, they communicated that the money that was needed for this operation should come from the men’s team. We couldn’t accept that approach. The men’s team was upset, and so was the women’s team, as they felt uncomfortable that the money had to be taken from the men’s team."

"We didn’t want to talk with the DBU if the only way to give the women more money, would be by deducting it from the men’s team. That's not how you create equality," the official added. According to the plan, an insurance coverage upgrade for the women’s team (plus 50%) and men’s U-21 team (plus 40%) is funded by a 15% decrease in the men’s team insurance coverage.

Reportedly, the players and the DBU will jointly create a home (“clubhouse”) for all national teams: men, women and youth. The men’s and women’s national team players will receive the same basic remuneration for appearing for the national team. Moreover, a development fund paid for by the men’s team (50 %) and DBU (50%).

Sahl Hansen said, "The players can make suggestions on how to use the fund. For example, when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has positive experiences with special facilities or support at Tottenham Hotspur, or Simon Kjaer at AC Milan, then they can propose to help create those facilities or support with the national team."

The players of the women's team have reportedly responded positively to the new deal. "They are happy that the male players are helping them, however, they agree that the money should not come from the men’s team, but from the DBU. They are looking forward to the negotiations with the football association, which are due to start after this year’s summer," Sahl Hansen.