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U.S. women soccer stars fight wage discrimination

USA

Five World Cup-winning players of the U.S. women’s national team have accused the U.S. Soccer Federation of wage discrimination.

They have since filed a complaint with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The athletes, which include Carli Lloyd and goalkeeper Hope Solo, claim some of them earn as little as 40 percent of what men’s team players make.

Historic moment. Proud of the strength of this team. #fighting #equalplayequalpay pic.twitter.com/JnAbyL8bm8

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) 31 March 2016

Their lawyer, Jeffrey Kessler, said on Thursday that the players are asking for an investigation of the federation, which governs the game in the United States.

In a statement, the Federation said it was dissapointed in the players.

“We have been a world leader in women’s soccer and are proud of the commitment we have made to building the women’s game in the United States over the past 30 years,”

US Soccer statement on US women's players action alleging wage discrimination vs US men's players pic.twitter.com/DAJLwV7UVu

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) March 31, 2016

The women’s team has won three World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals, and made at least $16 million (USD) for the federation in 2015, beating their male counterparts.

Wouldn’t want to face these women on the field or in the courtroom. Every woman deserves equal pay. https://t.co/RBuAFtgpDS

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) 31 March 2016

Defender Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Megan Rapinoe are also parties to the complaint.

The five players are acting on behalf of the entire women’s team, Kessler said.

The complaint is not only about compensation, Morgan said in a statement from Kessler’s law firm. “We want to play in top-notch, grass-only facilities like the U.S. Men’s National Team. We want to have equitable and comfortable travel accommodations and we simply want equal treatment,”

U.S. women's soccer team sends powerful message https://t.co/alMwcwH1ng via USATODAY #proud

— Abby Wambach (AbbyWambach) 31 March 2016

The U.S. women’s team have secured qualification for this summer’s Olympics in Brazil.

#USWNT absolutely deserve to be treated fairly in all ways. Important to remember that these issues are/can be collectively bargained

— Landon Donovan (@landondonovan) March 31, 2016

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