Lewes women have written an open letter, ahead of their quarter final game against Manchester United this Sunday, calling for equal FA Cup prize money.
The Guardian newspaper, which has seen the letter, highlights the fact that Lewes Women have received £45,000 for winning three ties to get this far, compared to men's teams that have received £450,000 for reaching the third round.
It added that women's teams wouldn't receive any money for an FA Cup game being broadcast by the BBC, yet the men's teams would each be paid £200,000 for televised quarter-finals.
The BBC is showing the Lewes Women vs Man United game on Sunday.
Lewes midfielder Lauren Heria was quoted in The Guardian, saying:
“We are happy the prize fund increased by £3m this year and we’ve had more money coming in from the Cup but still, comparatively, it is a small increase compared to where the men are at.”
In March of last year the Football Association announced prize money for the Women's FA Cup would increase by about sevenfold from just under half a million to just under £3m. However, the men's prize received an uplift, which takes them to just under £20m.
The letter from the football club was sent to Karen Carney who is leading the government's future of women's football review.
She's encouraging everyone to support the women's teams and sign a pledge, saying equal prize money would transform the women’s game in terms of wages, facilities, equipment, medical care, staffing and travel costs.
There's a link to the pledge here:
The letter follows the team's announcement this week that Xero, a small business platform, is increasing its support for Lewes Women as the official match-day sponsor for their game this Sunday (March 19).
A statement on the club's website reads:
The matchday sponsorship is an extension to our existing 3-year partnership with Xero that begun in summer 2022. The distinctive blue Xero logo has proudly featured around the ground and on our player’s kits throughout the historic FA Cup run, and league campaign.
Xero is a company that truly shares, and invests, in our vision for an equitable future for football, therefore, we are pleased they have chosen to increase their support on this important day for our players, club, and community.
"Our Quarter Final FA Cup clash is our biggest on pitch challenge yet and we are thrilled to have Xero’s increased backing as we seek to continue our journey in this competition." - Captain, Rhian Cleverly.
Event Bookings Go Live For Worthing Festival ‘24
Man Charged After Throwing Brick Through Brighton Restaurant Window
Peacehaven Man Disqualified Over High-Speed A27 Pursuit Near Brighton
Appeal After PCSO Assaulted In Uckfield
Man Charged With Rape Of Teenage Girl In Newhaven
Overnight Closures For A22 Forest Row Road Improvements
Brighton Defence Manufacturer's Controversial Planning Application Likely To Be Heard
Over £2.4m Approved For Worthing School Support Centre
Section Of M25 To Close Again Tonight - As Drivers Warned Not To Get Complacent
Plans For 800 New Horsham Homes Refused