April 5 – The Republic of Ireland women’s team have threatened to go on strike in a row over treatment by their national association (FAI), throwing Monday’s game against Slovakia into doubt.
Several members of the squad as well as officials from the players’ union were at a press conference at which they outlined their grievances including match fees and the provision of proper clothing and changing facilities.
Irish captain Emma Byrne described it as “humiliating” that players had had to resort to airing their concerns in public but said that a situation in which various members of the squad were obliged to change in and out of FAI tracksuits before and after trips away because they were not allowed to keep kit was unacceptable.
Byrne, who has 127 caps, said that as well as improved resources the players were fighting for compensation from the FAI for lost earnings while on international duty.
“We are willing to do whatever it takes at this stage,” she said. “We are fighting for the future of women’s international football. This isn’t just about us. I know players who have had to stop playing. They made the decision they couldn’t play any more.”
“What we want is for the FAI to empower and enable our players to commit to training camps and international games without having to worry about taking unpaid leave from work or being forced to use up all of their holidays.”
Players representative Stuart Gilhooly said that they were being treated as “fifth-class citizens, the dirt on the FAI’s shoe” while Irish forward Aine O’Gorman added: “We have been getting changed in public toilets on the way to matches.”
O’Gorman said that the FAI had warned the players that going public could “endanger their careers at club and international level”.
In response, an FAI statement said the governing body was “deeply disappointed that members of the team have threatened to withdraw from playing for their country”.
“The ultimatum by the players concerned comes in spite of repeated invitations from the FAI to the players to discuss clear and tangible financial offers for the payment and compensation of members of the squad,” said the statement. “On five occasions in recent months the FAI has attempted to bring the players to the table, only to have the offer rebuked at every turn.”
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