Matildas set to earn same as Socceroos in world-first pay deal

The Matildas and the Socceroos will earn the same pay packets after agreeing to a world-first pay deal.

Source: Getty Images

A News Corp report has revealed the Matildas will become the first women's national team to earn the same as their male counterparts after the landmark pay deal was agreed in principle.

The groundbreaking pay structure is set to be implemented by the end of the week with Football Federation Australia and the Professional Footballers Association reaching an agreement after a long running campaign by the players union demanding fairer pay for the Matildas.

The deal - which has been agreed in principle but now requires legal ratification - will mean the pool of money for both the men's and women's teams will be the same while all commercial revenue brought in by both sides will be split evenly.

It will bring an end to the days of the Matildas playing second fiddle to the Socceroos, who have traditionally been given the majority of revenues while the male players have also been paid more.

It was an imbalance all national team players were keen to fix.

The Matildas launched a campaign in the lead up to June's FIFA Women's World Cup in France to reduce the gap between prize money for the men's and women's tournaments.

France took home A$575 million dollars after winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but the USA were awarded only A$43 million for winning the women's event.

The breakthrough for the Matildas could also help the plight of other national women's teams fighting for pay parity such as the USA who have filed a law suit against their national federation.

The Matildas return to action on Saturday against Chile at Bankwest Stadium, in the first of a double header against the South Americans ahead of February's Olympic qualifying camping.