The US Soccer Federation settled a lawsuit filed by women's soccer players claiming that they were paid unequally. Players claim that the gender discrimination caused the pay gap. Equal Pay Act demands equal pay for individuals with the same skills and experience. This law also applies female soccer players.
U.S. Soccer Federation filed a lawsuit against women's team soccer
Three years ago, the U.S. Women's National Team filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Soccer Federation over pay disparities. The players filed a lawsuit against the U.S. soccer Federation accusing it of discrimination and giving lip service equality while offering higher wages to their male counterparts. In May, however, the federation filed a response to the lawsuit in court. It denied that the women were not getting fair pay.
The lawsuit was filed after Carlos Cordeiro, the USSF president, resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. He made comments about the skill level between male and female players, implying a higher skill level for male players. Cordeiro's comments were "slap in their faces," Cone, a former USWNT participant, said.
In May 2020, case was dismissed
In May 2020, The United States Supreme Court ruled San Francisco Unified School district had violated Civil Rights Act of 1965 by failing English language instruction to English learners. The case was remanded to the court for any appropriate relief. The district is currently considering whether or not to appeal the decision.
Players claim that the pay gap is caused by gender discrimination
United States women's football players claim that their pay gaps are due to gender discrimination. They filed a complaint with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging that they were paid less as men. The court dismissed the complaint in May 2020, but the players have appealed. Their lawsuit was inspired in part by the documentary film "When We Value Women", which highlights the gender disparities in the workplace.
The pay gap in the United States has grown since 1999. 28 women soccer players filed a lawsuit in March 2019 against the United States soccer Federation alleging that the pay disparity is caused by gender discrimination. According to the lawsuit, women's players will be paid around 38% less that their male counterparts. This lawsuit has set off a new debate about gender discrimination within sports.
Settlement with USSF
According to a U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) announcement, a lawsuit that was filed by 28 players of the U.S. female soccer team, titled "Settlement With USSF in women’s soccer lawsuit," has been settled. The suit, which was filed by 28 members of the U.S. women's soccer team, titled "Settlement with USSF in women's soccer lawsuit," alleged institutionalized discrimination on behalf of the USSF. It also focused on equal pay as well as working conditions.
The American public took sides in the lawsuit against women's soccer, citing pay inequalities in women's football. The federation maintained that the women's contract had been collectively bargained and that they were paid the same amount as men. But public outrage forced the organization to abandon this position. Meanwhile, women's football players used their fame and large social media followings to sue.