Women’s Asian Cup finalists accuse governing body of ‘ignoring’ pleas for equal prize money
Champions Japan and runner-up Australia say ‘inequality between the men’s and women’s game remains’ despite financial success of their event
Women’s Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia renewed calls on Thursday for equal prize money with the men’s tournament in a direct challenge to the Asian Football Confederation and accused the governing body of “ignoring” previous requests.
Japan beat hosts Australia 1-0 in the final in Sydney on March 21 in front of more than 74,000 fans, the biggest crowd in the competition’s history.
It concluded a tournament that made global headlines after seven members of the Iran squad sought asylum after being branded “traitors” at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. Two players remain in Australia.
The prize fund for last month’s Women’s Asian Cup was widely reported to be US$1.8 million, the same as in 2022, compared with the US$14.8 million on offer at the men’s equivalent.
In February a report issued by the global footballers’ union FIFPro said the event could generate up to US$82.4 million in revenue.
A record 350,000 fans came through the turnstiles during the three weeks of the tournament.