USWNT File Gender Discrimination Lawsuit Against US Soccer
The United States women's national team has filed a lawsuit against US Soccer, alleging “institutionalized gender discrimination”
On Friday March 8 - International Women's Day - the United States women's national team filed a lawsuit against US Soccer, citing “institutionalized gender discrimination."
All 28 members of the current US squad are listed as plaintiffs in a suit that alleges discriminatory practices by the United States' federation, including unequal pay, training facilities, coaching, medical treatment and travel conditions.
The new lawsuit repeats similar issued raised in a previous filing in 2016, when USWNT players lodged a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. However, no resolution was reached and players have now opted to move their grievance to federal court.
According to a report in the NY Times:
"The players — a group that includes stars like Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan but also reserve players — have requested class action status. They are seeking to represent any current or former players who have represented the women’s national team since Feb. 4, 2015 — a cohort that could grow to include dozens more players — and are requesting back pay and damages and other relief: a potential award that could reach into the millions of dollars."