Scotland players have shown unwavering commitment as they sought a solution with the Scottish FA over equal treatment, insists women’s head coach Pedro Martinez Losa.
Captain Rachel Corsie said players “are proud to have parity” after she withdrew a threat of legal action.
An agreement was reached on the day a tribunal hearing was due to start.”It hasn’t affected the professionalism and application of the players since day one,” said Martinez Losa.”You have seen the unity and the performance of the team.”I am pleased that now we can move forward and focus on the next objectives and challenges as a unit together.”The cancelled case had centred on claims of inequality compared to the men’s national team, focusing on areas such as facilities, travel and pay.”It has obviously been a challenging period,” added Martinez Losa, who took on the Scotland job in July 2021.”I know the players and I know how much they want to play for Scotland and how they were willing to progress things. I think it was a matter of solving situations and finding an agreement.
“On one side I was supporting my players and the staff and to be focused on the job I can do, but on the other side, as an employee within the SFA, you want things to be resolved.”The players felt it was right to take legal action which I get, so we move forward as we always have. We have been united in the difficult moments and we will continue being united now looking for the success of the nation.”No details have been given on the deal struck, but SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell did say: “We have reiterated our commitment to equality, specifically with regard to commercial appearances, prize money distribution and resources.”Corsie said there have been “positive discussions with mutual respect, understanding and cooperation”.In a statement in December, the Aston Villa defender claimed the action, which was being funded by PFA Scotland, was brought after “years of iniquity, disrespect, and in some cases abuse”.
In January, the Football Association of Wales agreed a deal for equal pay between their men’s and women’s national teams, while a dispute arose in the summer regarding performance-related bonuses for the England national team prior to the Women’s World Cup.
