Gonsalves: Female players will be paid

President of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA), Everton “Batow” Gonsalves, has assured that players who represented Antigua and Barbuda in the recent CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers will be paid their match fees.
The former national striker who spoke on the Good Morning Jojo Sports radio programme on Monday, said, however, not all players are eligible for the fees.
“Particular players will be dealt with because this is wreaking havoc because as you know, we have a lot of players who are still looking to go to university and that is a no-no when it comes to those girls so there might be one or two who are eligible. They have not made any issues, their matters are being dealt with but this is certainly not a matter for the public,” he said.
The Antigua and Barbuda Benna Girls finished winless in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers in Jamaica but had finished atop Group D in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifiers in May.
Gonsalves said a decision will be made on the amount that will be paid out to the women players in contrast to their male counterparts.
“I can’t divulge the few persons’ personal information but you can certainly well ask them but the few that are eligible for that I think their disbursements should have happened last week and if not, it will happen this week. I am not sure of the equality of the payment [to the men’s team], I know there are amounts due to both but I will double check because as you know, the females are just coming on stream and if it is, because we believe in equality, that will be the case,” the president said.
The Benna Girls gave up 26 goals in four matches, losing 9-0 to Jamaica in their opening fixture, 7-0 to Cuba in their second showing, 5-0 to Trinidad and Tobago in their third match and 5-0 to Bermuda.