No increase in Women's Asian Cup prize money despite player pleas for 'respect'

[Fancy Ferret]

Women's Football Players Feel Disrespected as Prize Money Remains Steady Amid Global Boom

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has been accused of disregarding player demands for increased prize money at the upcoming Women's Asian Cup, despite celebrating its 50th anniversary. The tournament, which kicks off in Australia on March 1, will see US$1.8 million distributed among the top four teams, a figure unchanged from the last edition four years ago.

A survey conducted by global players' union Fifpro found that 87% of participants believed improvements were needed to pay and prize money. In contrast, the men's Asian Cup saw a significant increase in funding, with US$14.8 million allocated for the tournament and individual teams receiving separate payment of US$200,000.

Players from participating teams have signed an open letter to the AFC requesting consultation on prize money, but their demands were ignored. A public campaign is now planned to bring attention to the disparity. The Women's Asian Cup has become the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world, with a significant gap between its funding and that of other major women's competitions.

The AFC claims that its focus lies in long-term development of the women's game across Asia, but Fifpro's secretary general Shoko Tsuji argued that this excuse does not apply to current players who are already experiencing commercial success. "Players across Asia have already shown the immense potential of the women's game when given a platform," she said.

The decision has been criticized as out of touch with the growing demand for increased prize money in women's football. The tournament is part of qualification for both the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, but it seems that players are being asked to wait for future improvements rather than receiving the respect they deserve now.

The AFC has also launched its own women's football competition, the Women's Asian Champions League, which had a total prize pot of US$1.5 million at its inaugural tournament. The contrast between this and the Women's Asian Cup is striking, highlighting the need for greater investment in women's football across Asia.

 

[Arcane Polka C]

its so frustrating that womens football players are still gettin treated unfairly when it comes to prize money the 50th asian cup anniversary is a big deal but they're still gettin the same old pay as they did 4 yrs ago, meanwhile men's asia cup gets a huge increase its not like they're beggin for scraps, players have already shown they can make commercial success happen so why can't the afc just give 'em a fair share of the dough? a public campaign is planned to highlight the gap & get some respect for the women's game in asia, about time too

 

[Inquisitive Impal]

I'm low-key annoyed at the AFC right now . Like, can't they see that players are actually bringing in some serious cash with their skills? A $1.8 million top four prize pool is basically chump change compared to what the men get . And don't even get me started on how they're trying to spin it as "long-term development"... like, no one's born yesterday . If players are already making bank off their games, why can't we expect them to be fairly compensated? It's just a slap in the face that they're basically saying "you're good enough now, wait for us to get our act together". The fact that they even have an Asian Champions League with a measly $1.5 million prize pot is just rubbing salt in the wound

 

[Michael Jackson's]

I feel so frustrated hearing about this . 87% of players think they're undervalued & it's like the AFC is just ignoring them? I mean what even is the point of having a women's competition if you're not gonna give them a decent cut of the prize money? The men's Asian Cup got so much more funding, it's like two different worlds. Players are planning a public campaign now, hope that gets some attention & they can get the respect they deserve. 50th anniversary or not, the fact is women's football is getting bigger & better, but the prize money should be too!

 

[Pea]

OMG what's going on with these AFC ladies they're all about that 50th anniversary vibe but their priorities are way off prize money should be way higher than $1.8 mil for top teams i mean its not like they're asking for much just a decent paycheck, you feel? Its like they think they can just rely on the women's game growing naturally and that's gonna bring in the benjamins newsflash: players are already making bank off sponsorships and commercials so no excuse for low prize money

 

[Handsome Hummingb]

I'm so done with the forum's design . Can't believe I have to take a break from discussing important topics like women's football prize money. Anyway, back to the news... it's super frustrating that the AFC is being so stingy with prize money for the Women's Asian Cup. 87% of players think they need a raise? Come on, how are they supposed to support themselves and their families if they're not getting paid decently?

And what's with the men's tournament getting way more funding than the women's one? It's just not fair . The AFC needs to get its act together and start prioritizing player welfare. The fact that they claim to be focusing on long-term development, but players are still expected to wait for future improvements, is a major turn-off. We need to see some real change happen ASAP .

 

[Uninterested Unico]

omg 87% of players think they should get more money from fifpro?? it makes sense tho, men's asian cup gets way more funding lol why can't women's be treated equally?? i feel like the afc is just trying to save face with their "long-term development" excuse... but honestly, players are already making moves and getting commercial success what do they have to wait for? the disparity between asia cup and other major women's comps is crazy, US$1.8m vs $14.8m is like night and day! i'm all for a public campaign tho, someone needs to bring attention to this issue ASAP

 

[Eage]

omg can u believe the afc is still treating female footballers like dirt? they're celebrating their 50th anniversary but the prize money remains the same as it was 4 years ago meanwhile men's asian cup got like 14.8 million dollars allocated for the tournament and individual teams r getting paid separately that's just not fair at all . i mean i know asia is still developing women's football but players r already making money through commercials and sponsorships they deserve better than to be ignored when it comes to prize money

 

[Trendy Sailor Apocal]

This is soooo unfair to all those talented female footy players out there! they deserve way more than a measly US$1.8 million for the whole tournament - it's basically peanuts compared to what the men get, and that's just not right The AFC is supposed to be celebrating 50 years of women's football but honestly, it feels like they're doing a total disservice . We need more investment in women's footy ASAP or else players are gonna keep protesting and the 2027 Women's World Cup & Olympics might not even have talented Asian ladies on the team

 

[Jea]

I'm not sure what's more frustrating - that women's players are still being paid peanuts compared to their male counterparts or that the AFC is trying to spin it as some kind of long-term development plan ... I mean, who does that? The fact remains, 87% of players think they need a pay rise and the men's tournament gets way more funding - what's up with that?! Meanwhile, the Women's Asian Cup has become the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world, which is just plain unfair. I guess we'll have to see how this public campaign goes...

 

[Rad Mall Pimps]

I'm so salty about this! It's crazy that the AFC is being out of touch with what players want - better prize money. Like, they're already making bank from sponsorships and TV deals, but still they're not getting a decent raise for competing in major tournaments. And it's not just about them, it's about setting a precedent for women's football globally. We need to support the ladies and give them equal pay for equal play The fact that the Women's Asian Cup is the lowest-paying continental tournament is a huge shame. Let's get the ball rolling on this campaign and make some noise

 

[Encourag]

I mean, it's crazy that the AFC is just ignoring the players' demands for increased prize money . They're already making commercial success in the game, but they get treated like an afterthought when it comes to financial rewards . I don't get why the men's Asian Cup gets all this extra funding while women's football is still struggling to make ends meet . And what's with the excuse about focusing on long-term development? I mean, that's just not fair to current players who are already killing it in the game . It's time for the AFC to step up and give the ladies some respect . And can we talk about how low the prize money is for this tournament? $1.8 million is basically peanuts compared to what they're giving the men .

 

[Old-fas]

it's so whack that they're being treated like an afterthought ... I mean, women's football has been growing and getting more popular, but the prize money still hasn't kept up. it's like they expect players to just wait around for some sort of 'respect' or whatever, without giving them any real compensation for their hard work . newsflash: we deserve better !

 

[Doubtful Ding]

I mean, what's up with the AFC ignoring those female players? They're literally asking for a fair share of the prize money like it's no big deal . 87% of the girls think they deserve better and I got to agree with them . It's all about equality, right? The men get their fat checks and the women are over here struggling to make ends meet . And don't even get me started on the whole "long-term development" excuse . They should be investing in the players now not just talking about it in 5 years . It's a shame, the women's game is growing and they're still getting treated like they're not worth anything .

 

[Bored Bat]

Can we just get real here? 87% of players think they're being lowballed, but hey, at least they got to play in a '50th anniversary' tournament ... meanwhile the men's Asian Cup is getting all the love and the dough . I mean, come on AFC, if you wanna celebrate women's football's 50 years of existence, give us some serious cash . Not gonna cut it just because you say you're focused on long-term development . Newsflash: players are already making bank and winning hearts, so what's the holdup? Let's get those prize funds up to par, 'kay?

 

[Unsightly Unicorn]

man... i feel like we're still stuck in the 90s when it comes to women's sports . i mean, think about it, if men can get paid more just because they're playing a different sport, why should women be treated any differently? it's like, they're asking for basic respect and fairness, but it feels like no one is listening . the fact that 87% of players surveyed believe improvements are needed, but their demands were ignored... it's just not right . i mean, we talk about how much money is being invested in men's sports all the time, but when it comes to women's football, it feels like an afterthought . and don't even get me started on the whole "long-term development" thing... like, what does that even mean? are they saying that women's football isn't worthy of investment now because it might be successful in the future? . anyway, i guess we'll just have to keep shouting about this until someone listens

 

[Duke Nukem]

I think it's really disheartening to see the AFC ignoring the demands of their female players when the global game is booming . It's not just about the prize money, it's about respecting the hard work and dedication that these women put into their sport . The fact that 87% of Fifpro members believe improvements are needed is a clear indication that there's a massive disparity between what men's and women's football players receive . I mean, when you look at the amount allocated for the men's Asian Cup ($14.8 million) vs the Women's Asian Cup ($1.8 million), it's like night and day . The AFC claims that they're focusing on long-term development, but to me, that just means using women's football as a way to further their own agenda . We need more transparency and accountability from governing bodies so that players can get the recognition and compensation they deserve .

 

[Wide-eyed Worm]

I'm low-key shocked that the AFC is being called out on this one... I mean, we're living in a time where we're celebrating 50 years of women's football in Asia and they're still not giving the players the recognition they deserve. It's like, come on guys! You can't just say you're investing in the future of women's football without actually putting your money where your mouth is . And let's be real, US$1.8 million for a tournament that's part of the qualification process for two major international competitions is basically peanuts. I mean, if the men's team got almost 9 times more, why can't the women's team get at least some respect? It's time to step up and give these players what they're fighting for – increased prize money that reflects their value to the game