The Lionesses have paused talks with the Football Association (FA) over performance-related bonuses until after this summer’s Women’s World Cup.

For the first time, FIFA prize money will be paid directly to the Lionesses squad rather than the FA, and England’s players have been pushing the association to top up the central payments awarded to every side since 2022.

With England’s first game against Haiti only four days away, a statement released through captain Millie Bright on her social media accounts said the squad have put conversations on hold in order to focus on their campaign.

In it, they expressed their “disappointment” the issue remains unresolved – but said negotiations would continue after the competition.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

“Last year we presented the FA with concerns relating to our bonus and commercial structures. The hope was that discussions would lead to a solution before the commencement of the World Cup,” the squad wrote.

“We view the successful conclusion of these discussions, through player input and a transparent long-term plan, as key for the growth of women’s football in England.

“With our opening game on the horizon, we Lionesses have decided to pause discussions, with full intentions of revisiting them following the tournament.

“We collectively feel a strong sense of responsibility to grow the game and while our focus now switches fully to the tournament ahead, we believe every tackle, pass and goal will contribute to the work we are committed to doing off the pitch.

“We look forward to playing for our country in this World Cup with pride, passion and perseverance. Thank you for your support.”

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Speaking ahead of the tournament, manager Sarina Wiegman had told Sky Sports News she had not spoken to her players about the issue, but hoped for a “quick solution” after the squad touched down in Australia.

This year’s Women’s World Cup is taking place in Australia and New Zealand, making it the first-ever co-hosted Women’s World Cup.

The tournament gets under way on Thursday, with the final taking place on 20 August at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

The USA are the defending champions and are looking to become the first team in the competition’s history to win the tournament three times in a row.

Read more:
Everything you need to know about the Women’s World Cup
Ryan Giggs’ retrial abandoned after domestic violence charges withdrawn

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Last month FIFA announced a new financial distribution model to apply to this summer’s tournament.

Under that model, players will be guaranteed performance-related remuneration directly from FIFA, with amounts increasing the deeper teams go in the tournament, ranging from $30,000 (£23,000) per athlete for the group stage to $270,000 (£206,000) allotted to each champion.

Previously, it was up to individual national governing bodies to decide how money was allocated, with some still agreeing to fund additional payments in 2023 beyond the new deal.

England players were understood to have been left disappointed by the fact the FA was not following the lead of the Australian and American federations – where collective bargaining agreements are in place – in paying bonuses on top of the prize money being paid to players direct by FIFA.

Related posts:

‘Criminal gangs’ encouraging children into violence on Northern Ireland’s streets, say police Newborn baby found dead in London canal Rail minister calls for ‘urgent plan’ from train operators as crack disruption continues Bank of England now sees inflation peak above 3% but plays down risk to economy Former chancellor George Osborne gets new job at ‘greatest museum in the world’ Girl who went missing from her home in Bolton found in London Three men arrested after woman dies from severe burns Sister of teen who died from COVID-19 says she cries herself to sleep every night FA Cup shock as non-league Boreham Wood reach fifth round – with tie against Premier League giant ‘Deeply upsetting’ to refuse Volodymyr Zelenskyy a no-fly zone over Ukraine, PM says Hospital to launch care review after death of five-year-old with Strep A Teenager in court charged with murder after death of man found seriously injured