Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a role for men players and men in the game. They have not shown solidarity with the women over the years. During the 2017 strike, they were noticeably absent through their silence in supporting their women colleagues who were fighting for basics such as tracksuits as well as pay and conditions. We have seen it in other sports with Andy Murray being a strong ally for equality of pay for women in tennis. We have not seen it in football, however. It is absolutely shameful.

Footballers are publicly and laudably supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. If they can do that, they can also support gender equality in their own sport and do it vociferously. As a young schoolboy player, I paid my €2 sub. I knew if my dreams ever came true, all the gifts and allowances that come from being a professional footballer would befall on me as a man. There are women playing international football and the Champions League who are still paying their subs every week or month to play for their country or team. It just cannot go on.

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