Finns agree equal pay for men’s and women’s national teams
September 6 – The Finnish FA (SPL) have announced that in their new player contracts there will be equal pay for their men’s and women’s national teams.
Women
#Nopaynoplay – Reggae Girlz say will boycott Olympic qualifiers unless JFF pay contracts
By Samindra Kunti
September 5 – The Reggae Girlz have had enough. In a payment dispute with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), the Jamaican national women’s team say they will refuse to train or play until the players receive what the JFF owns them.
Man City women secure Dylon deal ahead of first Manchester derby at Etihad
September 5 – With women-specific football sponsorship opportunities starting to make sales progress, Manchester City Women’s team have unveiled a long term partnership with Dylon Colour Catcher.
8-nation race for 2023 Women’s World Cup
September 4 – Bolivia has dropped out of the race to stage the 2023 Women’s World Cup, reducing the bidding field to eight member associations.
WSL expansion sees it land first major international TV deals
September 3 – The English Women’s Super League (WSL) has secured a first overseas broadcast rights deal with Sky Mexico and Scandinavian broadcaster NENT, reportedly worth six-figures.
FIFA tweaking Women’s World League proposal to find a global balance
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
August 28 – FIFA will launch a new proposal to revive the creation of a Women’s World League within the next year, according to the organisation’s head of women’s development and governance Emily Shaw. In 2018 the FIFA Council failed to approve the introduction of the new competition.
Belgians to plough €3m into women’s game to boost clubs, participation and league
By Samindra Kunti in Brussels
August 28 – The Belgian FA (KBVB) has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan to develop and grow the women’s game, investing an additional €3 million into the domestic women’s game over the next two seasons.
Women can attend Iran’s World Cup qualifier in October, says deputy sports minister
August 27 – Iran may be on the verge of allowing women into football stadia after a long campaign of pressure from FFIA, the AFC and various fan groups. Local news agency IRNA has reported that women will be allowed to attend Team Melli’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia in October.
English FA unveils venues for 2021 Women’s Euros
August 21 – Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester will replace Nottingham Forest’s City Ground as one of the nine venues for the Women’s Euro in 2021, the English FA announced on Tuesday.
ESPN digs deeper into women’s game with global rights for NWSL
August 19 – The US women’s national team may hold the attention and hearts of the nation but their women’s professional league has never enjoyed anything like the same profile. A new deal with ESPN could be a step towards changing that.
De Boer says equal pay at international level would be ‘ridiculous’
August 13 – Atlanta United coach Frank de Boer has weighed in on the equal pay debate, controversially claiming that “equal pay at international level now would be ridiculous”.
US Soccer appoint Markgraf as women’s supremo
August 13 – Kate Markgraf has been appointed general manager of the US women’s team and will immediately lead the search for a new head coach following Jill Ellis’ announcement last month that she is stepping down following the country’s World Cup victory last month.
FIFA inspectors visit Nigeria for 2020 U-20 Women’s World Cup bid appraisal
August 12 – Nigeria is in the running to host the 2020 U-20 Women’s World Cup. A FIFA inspection team visited facilities in the proposed host cities of Lagos, Benin City, Asaba and Uyo.
Whistleblowers question FIFA’s inaction over ‘widespread’ Afghan sexual abuse
August 8 – Two of the leading figures behind the campaign to expose sexual abuse by Afghan officials have gone back on the offensive accusing FIFA of not doing nearly enough and calling for far more concrete action.
Lil-Lets sign one-season deal with Everton Ladies
August 8 – The sponsorship roster of brands getting into women’s football has been added to by feminine hygiene brand Lil-Lets who have signed a one-season deal with Everton Ladies.