Ian Wright has slammed the Football Association (FA) for refusing to pay the Lionesses a six-figure bonus if they win the World Cup final today.
In addition to the winnings on offer from FIFA, the FA has also paid out performance-related bonuses to English sides.
The men's side were offered £500,000 if they won at Qatar last year, but when the women reportedly asked for just a fifth of this at £100,000 each, they were turned down - with talks set to resume after the final.
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Understandably, many have called the FA's decision a major own goal - including the former Arsenal player.
As Sarina Wiegman's team face Spain in the all-important play-off, Wright angrily hit out at football execs.
Earlier today, he appeared on ITV Sport with Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes and called the bonuses row ‘embarrassing’.
“Wiegman is staying, she's got a world class side there's no reason for her to go anywhere, I hope she gets paid what she deserves and I hope the players get the bonuses they deserve,” he pointedly told the coach.
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The 59-year-old added: “It’s really quite embarrassing.”
Former England player Ellen White has also called for the FA to make a proper game plan about pay and investment in women’s football.
In a lengthy article for the Mail Online, she urged players to keep pushing for change and wrote: “The issue of pay and bonuses isn’t a new one in women’s football and that’s why it was so important that the players came together to make their point of view known in that statement.
“It is so important that they haven’t allowed this issue to be simply swept under the carpet and instead promised to resume talks with the FA at the end of the tournament.”
Her comments come after the Lionesses' historic victory over Australia, with the women's side now in the World Cup final.
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Though their win could see the World Cup come home for the first time since 1966, members of the Royal Family have not been in attendance.
In previous years, Prince William has attended key matches such as the Euros final in 2021 with the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George also watching from the side lines.
However, the future monarch and FA president announced that he would not be attending the match in a short clip posted on social media.
Though he and Princess Charlotte wished the Lionesses good luck, many have viewed this as a major snub – especially considering that Queen Letizia of Spain will be supporting her team in person.
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In fact, former Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has angrily criticised the decision on Twitter (X).
He wrote: "With respect, YRH, you should have got on a plane.
"Ridiculous that the Queen of Spain is attending the World Cup Final to support her nation’s team, and you won’t be there despite being President of the FA.”
Whatever happens next the Lionesses have our support. Come on ladies!
Katherine Sidnell