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Women's National Team to meet before scheduled training session

The Women's National Football team are to have a team meeting today before a scheduled training s...



Women's National Team to m...
Soccer

Women's National Team to meet before scheduled training session

The Women's National Football team are to have a team meeting today before a scheduled training session is due to take place at 1pm, according to Ireland player Áine O'Gorman.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast this morning, O'Gorman explained that players will 'make a decision' on their next move at the team meeting, as their friendly with Slovakia next Monday looms.

"At the moment, we're still weighing up all our options. We're going to have a team meeting shortly with all the girls and make a decision.

"We're hoping the FAI can approach the PFAI and get our simple issues addressed as soon as possible so this can be all over."

She also said that the team is 'staying strong together' throughout their ongoing stand-off with the FAI, and insists that 'standards have to be raised and maintained for the future of the game.'

Here is the full interview with Newstalk's Paul Williams:

 

Áine O'Gorman gives an update on the Ireland women's squad to Newstalk Breakfast.

The players said yesterday that they are 'willing to do whatever it takes' to ensure this matter is resolved, which could suggest that if they don't train today, strike action could become a real possibility. 

When asked by Newstalk.com if the players were prepared to go on strike action, team captain Emma Byrne reiterated the stance of the players:

"We are going do whatever it takes. That includes whatever needs to be done."

The team held a press conference yesterday, where various issues regarding the apparent treatment of the women's team were raised.

It was claimed that the team have previously had to change into their tracksuits at airports on the way to and coming from international games. The players also claimed they were left out of pocket, as a result of fulfilling their international duties.

The players have a list of issues that they would like the FAI to correct. These were drafted up in conjunction with the player's football union - the PFAI.

These include gym membership, hotel accommodation that includes working WiFi, and for team clothing to be distributed before the team meets at the airport.

The women's team have requested for the PFAI to be their representatives in negotiations with the FAI, but the FAI are refusing to discuss with the PFAI and want to speak to the players directly.

The FAI issued a statement following the press conference, in which it said:

"Along with the core issues of Player representation and financial payments, the FAI has made considerable progress on matters outlined by the Players in their list of ‘Issues to be addressed’ last year. However, all efforts to meet directly and discuss these matters have been refused."

 

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