Male and female national players in Norway will earn the same wages in what is thought to be a first in world football.
ADVERTISEMENTNorway’s male and female football players will receive the same amount of money for representing their country on the pitch.
The amount of money paid to the women’s team will almost double from €330,740 (3.1m krone) to €640,130 (6m krone).
The country’s male players agreed to take a pay cut to ensure the wage restructuring.
It is believed it is the first deal of its kind in world football.
Norwegian winger Caroline Graham Hansen said: “Thank you for making this step for female athletes.”
In a post on Instagram Hansen said: “This was maybe a small thing for you to do for us, this will maybe not show in your monthly wages, this was maybe an obvious move for you to do.
“But this means everything for us, for our team, our sport, and for all the female athletes out there, who do the same work, the same sport as men do, but get paid less.
“For you to say that equal pay is how it should be, makes me want to cry. It makes me want to hug you all.”
Une publication partagée par Caroline Graham Hansen (@graham95) le 6 Oct. 2017 à 11h22 PDT
The announcement by the Norwegian football association has been widely praised by football figures.
Norway captain Stefan Johansen said: “I just think that’s how it should be.
“I think it can help a lot for them. We want Norwegian football ahead. The ladies are as important as us.”
Players’ union boss Joachim Walltin said: “Norway is a country where equal standing is very important for us, so it is good for the country and for the sport.
“For the girls, it will certainly make a difference. Some of them are working and studying, as well as playing football, and it’s hard to improve then.
“The feeling of being really respected is very important for them. The federation can see it as an investment to increase the level of the women’s team.”
The players’ equal pay will be introduced at the start of 2018.