Jul 7, 2019

Women's World Cup: "Equal pay" chants erupt after U.S. win in France

Rebecca Falconer

The U.S. players with their 4th World Cup in Lyon, central-eastern France. — The U.S. players with their 4th World Cup trophy in Lyon, central-eastern France. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Chants of "equal pay" erupted in Lyon, France, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino was booed over soccer's gender disparities after the U.S. team's Women's World Cup triumph over the Netherlands Sunday.

Why it matters: It's a reminder of disparities in men's and women's soccer that saw the U.S. women's soccer team file a lawsuit in March, accusing the United States Soccer Federation of "institutionalized gender discrimination." Democrats including several 2020 candidates signed a letter urging the women's team to be fairly compensated.

By the numbers: The prize money for the 2018 men's World Cup stood at $400 million, but the women players are to get $30 million this year, per CNN. Infantino has said soccer's governing body would double the amount for the 2023 Women's World Cup.

What she's saying: Megan Rapinoe, who scored in Team USA's 2-0 World Cup final triumph, said she's "down with the boos," according to the Guardian. "A little public shame never hurt anybody," she said. Rapinoe also urged FIFA not to wait to increase pay, per CNN.

"We should double it now and use that number to double it or quadruple it for the next time."

The big picture: The triumph in France marks a record 4th World Cup win for the United States women's soccer team. The U.S. is the first team to win back-to-back Women’s World Cup titles since Germany triumphed in 2003 and 2007, Outsports.com notes.

U.S. coach Jill Ellis is the first coach to win consecutive Women’s World Cup titles. Her team hasn't lost a game in the event since 2011, per the New York Times.

Go deeper: In photos: U.S. team triumphs in Women's World Cup final for a record 4th time

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Women's World Cup: "Equal pay" chants erupt after U.S. win in France

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