English footballer Lucy Bronze has sparked a heated row after claiming most female players would struggle to retire on their earnings.
The Lioness and Chelsea right-back, 33, one of England’s most distinguished international players, having won 24 trophies at five clubs, said News from heaven that 99.9 percent of female players “could not afford” to retire and live off their winnings.
Speaking to the outlet on Nov. 9, Bronze said that while she is “smart with money” and able to “retire and live off my investments,” most other women in sports couldn’t do the same.
When asked if female players could retire on their winnings, he responded by saying, “The one percent probably can.” “If you are smart with your money and live a certain lifestyle, then there is potential.”
The comments have recently resurfaced on the internet, with dozens of men criticizing “the right of women’s football.”
According to Collingwood Legal, the average male footballer in the Premier League will earn more than £3,000,000, while the average annual salary for Women’s Super League players is just £47,000.
They added that the highest-earning male footballers earn £173,000,000 a year, while female players earn approximately £417,000 over the same period.
Meanwhile, former England captain Steph Houghton told the BBC she was only paid £4,000 a year at Arsenal.
Lioness and former Chelsea star Lucy Bronze (pictured October 2023) has sparked an online row after complaining that most female players would struggle to walk away with their winnings.
Lucy, 33, one of England’s most distinguished internationals, having won 24 trophies at five clubs, told SkyNews that 99.9 per cent of players could not afford to retire and live off their earnings, the last month.
Speaking to Sky, Lucy insisted she had been smart with her money, paying off student loans and avoiding a “crazy lifestyle” to support herself in the future.
He recognized that this was not the case for the majority of players, most of whom would have to consider a career after football in order to retire comfortably.
She said: “Probably 99.9% of the players… you have to think about life after football.”
Last week, a popular football Twitter page reposted Lucy’s comments, writing: ‘English footballer Lucy Bronze has said that 99.9 per cent of female players cannot afford to retire and live off their salaries. earnings. What do you think about this?
The post sparked a flurry of comments online, with dozens of men insisting that “there is a huge amount of money” in men’s football compared to women’s football and accusing the Chelsea right-back of being “entitled”.
One social media user, Daniel Hopkins, wrote: “The right to women’s football is totally off the scale. They arrived yesterday.
‘They don’t have a real audience. And yet… The world-class male players of the 1980s did not receive “living” salaries. The stars of the 60s needed a testimonial to maybe buy a pub and work for another 35 years.’
The post made by Hopkins has been viewed more than 3.2 million times and has almost 400 comments from men and women debating equal pay in men’s and women’s football.
The post sparked a flurry of comments online, with dozens of men insisting that “there is a huge amount of money” in men’s football compared to women’s football and accusing the Chelsea right-back of being “entitled”.
Commenting on the post, one said: “Until recently, most footballers had to work after finishing their playing career.” They used to have testimonials, which was a bit like passing the hat.’
Another complained: ‘Well Lucy, welcome to the real world. There is a huge amount of money in men’s football and demand. Until you sell the stadiums for 76,000 every week and there is no commercial interest, you will not be paid what the men earn. “A lot of L1/L2 players would say the same thing.”
However, many women responded to the comments, including Daniel Hopkins, defending Lucy and accusing reactionary men of being “misogynistic.”
Someone wrote: ‘Women stepped on his throat for 100 years in men’s football so he couldn’t breathe? No. It is stating facts. Step back and let us move forward in harmony.’
Another said: “Damn, it’s almost like some sort of male-centric system that screwed up the women’s side of the sport for decades…”
Another said: “They arrived yesterday” and the first women’s team was formed in 1895. But then again, how can people make a living in a capitalist world? How absolutely disconcerting.
The issue of women’s pay in football versus men’s has been the subject of heated debate over the years.
In 2020, a campaign launched to ensure equal pay for those representing England resulted in the English Football Association (FA) making changes to pay.
When asked if female players could retire, she responded by saying, “The 1% probably can.” If you are smart with your money and live a certain lifestyle, then there is potential.
Speaking to Sky, Lucy insisted she had been smart with her money, paying off student loans and avoiding a “crazy lifestyle” to support herself in the future.
‘The FA pays its female players exactly the same as their male counterparts for representing England, both in terms of fees and bonuses. This parity has been in effect since January 2020,” a spokesperson stated then.
For the Women’s Euro victory, The Sun reported that each player received a £55,000 bonus compared to the £300,000 offered to the men’s team for reaching the final in 2020.
According to Sky, England coach Sarina Wiegman earned less than her former men’s team counterpart Gareth Southgate despite being the one to deliver a trophy: she won the Euros in 2022 and led England to their first World Cup since 1966.
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, each World Cup will have the same prize money by 2026.
Lucy herself insists that she is a long way from retirement.
She has competed in six international tournaments with the Lionesses and is looking forward to next summer’s challenge at the European Championships.
Many have played well beyond that age, including Brazilian legend Formiga, whose last game was when he was 43 years old.
“Formiga is my idol,” Bronze told Mail Sport. ‘I love Marta (38), Christine Sinclair (who recently retired at 41).
Last week, the popular football Twitter page reposted Lucy’s comments, writing: ‘English footballer Lucy Bronze has said 99.9% of female players cannot afford to retire and live off their earnings. . What do you think about this?
‘I think (age) is something that other people seem to point out.
“I’m not stupid, I know my level is not as good as a couple of years ago, but my level a couple of years ago was the best in the world, so it’s hard to compete with myself in that regard.”
‘I’m competing with the players around me every day and I love playing football. I’m only 33 years old, that’s how I look. I think all the girls who play with me see me as a young player because sometimes I have too much energy.
“I play football because I love it and I will retire when I no longer have that same love or have a passion for something else.”
England coach Sarina Wiegman previously described the defender as “the most competitive player” she has ever worked with and someone who has an incredible understanding of the game.