Aug 15, 2019

U.S. soccer pay dispute set to go to court after talks break down

U.S. women’s soccer stars Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan after the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Final in Lyon, France. Photo: Maddie Meyer/FIFA via Getty Images

The U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT) are ready to settle their pay dispute with the sport's American governing body in court, after mediation talks between the 2 sides broke down Wednesday, the Washington Post reports.

The big picture: The talks between USWNT players and the U.S. Soccer Federation were an effort to settle their gender-discrimination lawsuit, the Wall Street Journal notes.

What they're saying: USSF spokesman Neil Buethe said in a statement issued to news outlets the counsel for the 2019 Women's World Cup champions "took an aggressive and ultimately unproductive approach that follows months of presenting misleading information to the public in an effort to perpetuate confusion."

USWNT spokeswoman Molly Levinson said in a statement issued to news outelts that the players "will eagerly look forward to a jury trial."

Go deeper: Podcast: The equal pay fight for USWNT

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The state of play: Hundreds have already been arrested as tensions continue to rise between protesters and local governments. Protesters are setting police cars on fire as freeways remain blocked and windows are shattered, per the Washington Post. Law enforcement officials are using tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disperse crowds and send protesters home.

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