Denmark’s Euro 2024 squad has refused a pay rise to ensure their female counterparts earn an equal base salary when playing for the national team.
The Danish Football Association (DBU) wanted to offer equal pay to both teams, but neither team was in favor of a move to reduce spending on the men’s side in order to improve women’s income.
The men’s team and players’ union, Spillerforeningen, instead refused a pay rise to allow both teams to receive the same basic compensation under a new four-year deal with the DBU, which comes into effect after this summer’s Euro.
“The men’s team has chosen not to demand changes to the terms of their new agreement,” said Spillerforeningen director Michael Sahl Hansen.
“This is an extraordinary step to help improve the conditions of the women’s national teams. So, instead of seeking better conditions for themselves, the players thought about supporting the women’s team.
“When we presented the plan to the negotiating team consisting of Andreas Christensen, Thomas Delaney, Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Simon Kjaer and Kasper Schmeichel, they were very happy.”
The plan also includes the players and the DBU creating a clubhouse that can be used by all national teams and a development fund.
This will be partly paid by the men’s team when they qualify for the World Cup or European Championship as well as the DBU – both contributing one million Danish kroner (£120,854) .
