September 16 – Australia has revised the collective bargaining agreement for its players, leading to pay-cuts for both the men’s and women’s national teams due to the economic ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Working collaboratively … FFA and PFA have agreed to adjust various mechanisms within the CBA to respond to the economic impacts presented by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the players union (PFA) and Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced in a statement.
“Particularly, the adjustments to the CBA account for the significantly disrupted international calendars both teams have experienced in 2020, which has reduced the opportunity for Australia’s national football teams to generate revenue in both FY20 and FY21.”
The adjusted CBA will carry through until the 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Earlier this year, both countries landed the hosting rights for the tournament, which is expected to boost the game in the region.
The coronavirus pandemic however has endangered football’s ecosystem in Australia, with a significant drop in revenue for both the federation and the local clubs. The A-League and its clubs were forced to renegotiate a broadcast deal with News Corp-owned Fox Sports. As a consequence, players took a heavy pay-cut in a bid to wrap up the A-League season.
More salary cuts are expected ahead of the 2021 A-League season, but negotiations between the clubs and the players union are still on going after the PFA rejected a proposal from the clubs which would allow for too much unilateral power for the employers.
In October, A-League clubs will return to training in preparation for the upcoming season.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1714132103labto1714132103ofdlr1714132103owedi1714132103sni@o1714132103fni1714132103
