Players' dispute with SFA resolved

Scotland's squad announcement for Euro 2017 will go ahead as planned on Tuesday after a dispute between the players and the Scottish FA was resolved last night.

Head coach Anna Signeul

Head coach Anna Signeul was originally due to name her squad last Tuesday, but the press conference was postponed due to the dispute. The players have been shunning media and sponsorship activities since the day before the friendly against Romania in Falkirk on 9 June.

Although details have yet to emerge, it is understood that one of the players’ requests, to be paid appearance money, has not been met. It was a red line issue for the SFA, who don’t pay the men either.

A statement on behalf of the players released by PFA Scotland said: “This is a historic moment as it is the first ever collective agreement between the Scottish women’s national team (SWNT) and the SFA, and is a major step towards achieving equality and parity between the men’s and women’s games at all levels.”

The Euros start three weeks today when hosts Netherlands get the tournament under way against Norway. Scotland’s first game is against England in Utrecht three nights later.

A Scottish FA spokesman said: “The agreement contains both commercial and operational elements.

“We look forward to supporting the SWNT in the Netherlands this summer and using the team’s participation in the championships as a springboard to generating increased interest in girls’ and women’s football in Scotland – from players, coaches, sponsors and, of course, fans.”