This is how Bierhoff counters Olaf Scholz’ demand for equal pay
Frohms “surprised” by the huge interest in the EM
National goalkeeper Merle Frohms was “surprised” by the extent of the positive feedback from home after the dream start to the European Championship. Of course, the national team is happy about all the attention during the European Championship.
Olaf Scholz calls for equal pay for the women’s and men’s national teams via Twitter. DFB director Oliver Bierhoff is surprised at the advance. He immediately makes an offer to the Chancellor.
Dhe jubilation was great. Martina Voss-Tecklenburg gathered her team in the center circle and celebrated with her the 2-0 win over Spain and the early qualification for the quarter-finals of the European Women’s Football Championship. What the men failed to do two years ago, the women did all the more impressively: with two victories without conceding, the national team underpinned their position as title aspirants.
In the stands at Brentford Community Stadium, Oliver Bierhoff also celebrated the national team’s victory. Before the game, however, the DFB director had to address a recurring theme – equal pay for women and men in professional football.
A few hours before kick-off, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) tweeted: “It’s 2022. Women and men should be paid equally. This also applies to sport, especially national teams. Spain is ahead of the curve there.”
Bierhoff picked up the ball on ARD and invited the Federal Chancellor to a discussion on the subject of equal pay for national teams. “I’m a bit surprised by the statement. I’d like to invite him over. Then I’ll explain the numbers to him a little better,” said Bierhoff.
It is clear that the men’s national team regularly achieves higher ratings and advertising revenue than the women. And in Spain, women only get the same bonuses and not salaries as men.
EUR 60,000 bonus per player if they win a European Championship
“A lot of things are twisted there,” said Bierhoff and added: “What is also important for us is the same conditions.” According to his statements, the women’s team had “just as large a coaching staff” as the men around national coach Hansi Flick. “We’re trying to put the infrastructure on an equal footing for them,” said Bierhoff and demanded: “Of course we have to see that the league continues.”
At the same time, Bierhoff referred to the suspended record bonus of the German Football Association for women: When winning the title in England, 60,000 euros each go to the players. In 2005, the DFB offered women a bonus of just 10,000 euros, and in 2017 it was 37,500 euros.
Scholz is ready to talk to Bierhoff about equal pay for women and men in national football teams. “Of course he will also be happy to talk to Mr. Bierhoff about it,” said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.
