Players of the Spain’s women’s top flight, Liga F, have decided to embark on a strike action over minimum wage they describe as “unacceptable.”
According to the players’ representative unions, negotiations to improve pay remained inconclusive in a meeting on Thursday.
Last week, the AFE and Futpro alongside three other unions, had called a strike over the period of the first two rounds of fixtures.
“We consider the final financial proposal from Liga F unacceptable and the five unions still maintain a firm proposition regarding the minimum wage that must be set so that female footballers in our country have salaries commensurate with their talent,” said the unions in a statement.
The unions stated they had lowered their request to a minimum wage starting at 23,000 euros. However, Liga F refused to increase their offer beyond 20,000 euros a year.
Presently, the minimum wage for Liga F players is 16,000 euros ($17,000) a year.
“… Proposal unacceptable”
“After holding a meeting yesterday with the Liga F players, they consider the employers’ proposal unacceptable and are saddened that they have to maintain a strike even having lowered their initial proposal to 23,000 euros per year,” added the unions.
“It would mean, let’s not forget, earning less than the (match) referees.”
Recall that last season, a refereeing strike disrupted the first week of Liga F matches.
The first round of fixtures was due to take place between September 8-10, with the second round on September 15-17.