Brighton boss Powell says Women’s FA Cup prize money does ‘not match up’ with the growth of the game

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Brighton boss Powell says Women’s FA Cup prize money does ‘not match up’ with the growth of the game

HOPE POWELL has supported fan-led demands for more prize money for clubs competing in the Women’s FA Cup.

And the Brighton manager believes that cash funding for fourth round winners “doesn’t match up” with the popularity of the women’s game.

Powell hopes the prize money for women's sides battling in the fourth round of the FA Cup should be higher than what is currently being offered

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Powell hopes the prize money for women’s sides battling in the fourth round of the FA Cup should be higher than what is currently being offeredcredits: PA

Powell, whose Siegel later plays for Arsenal, was speaking with Reading ahead of Albion’s FA Cup clash – one of 16 in the fourth round of this weekend.

At this point the women’s side winning the doubles is currently awarded £2000, while the losing club collects £500.

This is in stark contrast to the £90,000 paid to the men’s teams that win at this level.

Powell said: “The prize money should arguably be higher in this round.

“How much? I don’t know, but the figures don’t exactly match the location of the game at the moment.

“What the sport has to offer is getting to it and everyone is striving for the players and everything they do to make it professional.

With its fanbase at Wembley (last year’s) finals and the number of games (over 40,000), there’s an appetite for where the women’s game is right now.

“I don’t think the figures are quite match for the match at the moment.”

Powell’s comments come a month after Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said Cup prize money for women’s clubs is ‘nowhere near where it is needed’.

And Tottenham chief Rehan Skinner believes the rewards need to align with the progress of the competition for teams battling to win the trophy.

1.3 million viewers watched the BBC in December to watch Chelsea beat Arsenal 3-1 in last year’s final.

“Everyone is working incredibly hard to develop the women’s game. This is reflected in what the prize money is and how the clubs are supported.

Rehan Skinner – Tottenham Head Coach

And the record TV viewership for a women’s club game on national television is 2.2 million that watched Manchester City beat West Ham in the 2019 FA Cup final.

Today, Skinner told reporters: “Everyone is working incredibly hard to develop the women’s game.

“This is reflected in what the prize money is and the way clubs are supported in terms of performance levels.”

On Wednesday, politicians from all parties led a debate with sports officials to review the matter.

And Labor MP Alison McGovern bridged the gap in funds given to the men’s and women’s sides and urged the government to pressure football chiefs to look into the issue.

The men’s teams that win the Cup currently have £1.8 million, while their female counterparts get £25,000.

The former shadow sports minister said: “There is absolutely no objective justification for this incredible disparity in prize money. This is our flagship competition.”

The Women’s Soccer Fan Collective is one of several groups and individuals demand equal cash prize for teams.

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Women's FA Cup winners earn £25,000 while men's teams receive £1.8 million in prize money

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Women’s FA Cup winners earn £25,000 while men’s teams receive £1.8 million in prize moneycredit: getty

Its members are scheduled to host a virtual town hall meeting this evening for the Games later this week.

Organizers have called on spectators to join supporter-led protests in the fourth round of FA Cup matches.

They 51. are planning to lead the chants called to action inscheduled tribe and 71scheduled tribe Minutes of the game on Saturday and Sunday.

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