Disgruntled Girlz threaten strike

The Reggae Girlz have vowed to no longer represent the country until they are paid the money they were promised for their historic participation in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

But their stance, according to them, is meant to tackle more than the money that is owed by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

It is about championing a change in the way women's football 'is viewed in Jamaica'.

"This ain't just about the money. It is about change - a change in the way women football is viewed especially in Jamaica," Khadija Shaw posted on Instagram to accompany the banner of their protest 'No Pay, No Play'.

During the World Cup, the United States women's senior team called out their administration for not paying them the same wages as the US men's senior team.

Last year, the Reggae Girlz became the first women's team from the Caribbean to qualify for the Women's World Cup. The feat garnered much praise from the society, but seems to have done very little to change their struggles.

FULL PAYMENT NEEDED

The Girlz have warned the JFF that they will not represent the country again until they are paid the full amount of what was promised to them.

"No one on the team, to my knowledge, has been paid and I am standing with my teammates. I will not be participating if I get paid 50 per cent, or 100 per cent, if other girls have not received the money. It is not fair for only some of us to be paid and others aren't," midfielder Lauren Silver said.

JFF president Michael Ricketts said 50 per cent of the money was sent to the Girlz's account last Friday and the rest would be paid when the Federation receives the prize money from FIFA for participating in the World Cup, at the end of September.

The Girlz are scheduled to play Olympic Qualifiers between September 29 and October 9.