For the SC Sand soccer players, the debate about equal pay is more than just an issue for the national team. After Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to the DFB, they hope for changes in the leagues.
The SC Sand players are professionals – not only on the pitch, but also when it comes to combining sport and work. Because they can’t make a living from football. “The players we have now are all very young. They all have to work on the side. We have a double burden from work and we don’t have to talk about finances,” says coach Alexander Fischinger in an interview with SWR Sport.
Important topic also for the leagues
The situation hasn’t improved since the club was relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of last season. “Last year we trained seven times a week. You can’t do that in the second division.” Fischinger and his players are now hoping that “the boom will also reach us”. Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s visit to the German Football Association (DFB) and the debate about equal pay for the national teams are important, but according to Fischinger: “I hope that the leagues won’t be forgotten.”
According to the coach, his players and he are not concerned with the millions in salaries, as they are paid in the men’s Bundesliga. “The girls are modest, but they want to practice their sport as professionals,” says Fischinger. Inga Schuldt agrees. “A lot of people then have their heads somewhere else,” says the keeper. “And then they can’t keep to the regeneration times either.” It’s also important to her that coach Fischinger says: “We’re not complaining, but it’s difficult to implement with these financial resources.”
Scholz talks about bonuses
That could also have arrived at the DFB with Chancellor Scholz’s visit. “My point of view is known. From my point of view, this is something political and something different than in salary negotiations.” He was therefore “glad that the idea was openly accepted”. DFB President Bernd Neuendorf was ready to talk: “I am ready to discuss in our committees whether our bonus system is still up to date or whether it should be adjusted.”
He also wants to “continue to talk” to political forces on this subject. SC Sand would hardly benefit from an adjustment of the premiums – but perhaps the remaining financial means will be discussed more in the future.
