According to the players’ union on Friday, Danish men’s football players have turned down a wage raise for competing for the national team in an effort to secure equal basic pay for women.
According to union spokesman Magnus Hviid, “the men’s team chose not to ask for a salary increase… to improve the conditions of the women’s team,” as reported by AFP.
He considered “an extraordinary measure to help take this small step in the right direction” , although admitted that there were “still more glass ceilings to break to ensure equal opportunities and conditions within national teams” .
Hviid stated that the decision “obtained the same basic salary for the women’s national team and the men’s national team, as well as better insurance coverage for the women’s team” .
The deal, which was struck at the end of May, stipulates that men and women will get the same match bonuses when playing away.
Currently, there is still a salary gap between the men’s and women’s national teams because home games do not receive bonuses.
After the summer break, the union and the Danish football federation (DBU) want to start talks on a new contract for the women’s national team.
In Group C of the Euro 2024 competition, Denmark is tied for second place following two draws with Slovenia and England.
