“…the dirt on the FAI’s shoe” – Irish National Women’s team highlights appalling treatment

This is an insult to sportswomen across the country.

The Senior Women's National football team have held a press conference in Dublin today, highlighting their unfair treatment at the hands of the FAI. From sharing apparel to missing out on bonus fees, the elite athletes who represent our nation face a constant uphill battle. Not only are they forced to miss work days (many of them are non-professional) they are also forced to share kit with junior teams and any match fees for international fixtures are a pipe dream. The team released a collective statement before the press conference: [caption id="attachment_341025" align="alignnone" width="552"] Credit Maria Crowe Twitter[/caption] Republic of Ireland correspondent with UEFA Maria Crowe was at the event this morning and she's been live-tweeting:

Stephanie Roche explaining what it's like not to be able to keep their tracksuits, changing in airport toilets

— Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) April 4, 2017

Stuart Gilhooly "we need to recognise that the women's team are 5th class citizens, the dirt on the FAI's shoe"

— Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) April 4, 2017

The WNT have to share their tracksuits with underage teams

— Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) April 4, 2017

Both the FAI and the WNT want the team to be successful they need to work out ways to do that, pity it has to come to this #IRLWNT

— Marie Crowe (@mariecrowe) April 4, 2017

The outpouring of support today on the back of the press conference has been major:

This is #irlwnt Saipan moment. All the team are united to win better conditions and are fighting for the future of women's football #COYGIG pic.twitter.com/X3ISCHV3Zb

— SIPTU (@SIPTU) April 4, 2017

This is the list of BASIC ISSUES that #IRLWNT want their governing body to address. Read them, share them, and get angry about them... ✊? pic.twitter.com/AVIH1OgwHz

— Elaine Buckley (@ElaineBucko) April 4, 2017

Emma Byrne: "we are fighting for the future of women's football" #IRLWNT

— Ann-Marie Keegan (@AnnMarie_Keegan) April 4, 2017

In a statement, the Football Association of Ireland said it was deeply disappointed that members of the Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team "have threatened to withdraw from playing for their country in the upcoming match versus Slovakia on April 10, 2017." The statement reads:

"The ultimatum by the players concerned comes in spite of repeated invitations from the FAI to the Players to discuss clear and tangible financial offers for the payment and compensation of members of the squad. Repeated efforts by the Association have been made in a bid to encourage the players to row back from their unprecedented ultimatum."

The FAI claims it has attempted to bring the players to the table, "only to have the offer rebuked at every turn" on five occasions. We doubt anyone in this country would ask the men's National team to change in the jacks and return their kit... why is it different for women? Fair play ladies.