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US women’s soccer team say lawsuit about more than money

Members of the United States women’s soccer squad
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Members of the United States women’s soccer squad (USWNT) have told Reuters their lawsuit against the national federation alleging gender discrimination is not just about wages but also improving the sport for women participating in it at all levels.

All 28 members of the squad were named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court last month and says the women are not paid the same as their male counterparts.

While the U.S. men’s team have voiced their support, the U.S. Soccer Federation has said it was surprised by the lawsuit, with its president, Carlos Cordeiro, saying it strives for equal pay and has boosted its investment in female player development programs.

Midfielder Megan Rapinoe told Reuters in an interview timed with Equal Pay Day on April 2 that they were also pushing for systematic change.

“For us it is really important to really look at the bigger picture of the compensation piece,” she said.

“I don’t think you can talk about compensation articulately or intelligently until you have a conversation about funding across the board,” she said.

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