The crowd at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup final match on Sunday in Lyon booed FIFA president Gianni Infantino and French president Emmanuel Macron.
This was as the U.S. fans demanded equal pay for the players after their team claimed a fourth global title by beating The Netherlands 2-0.
Macron and Infantino, the head of football’s world governing body, were turned upon by the supporters as they approached the ceremony podium.
It was a sharp contrast with the hero-like reception given to player of the match Megan Rapinoe by the 57,900 crowd.
In spite of a recent rebound, Macron’s popularity was last at 38 percent in an Ifop poll, up 15 points since a low in December at the peak of the anti-government yellow-vest crisis.
U.S. captain Rapinoe, the leading voice for equal pay in a sport where the men are far better paid than the women, scored the opening goal with a VAR-awarded penalty kick.
She scored in the 61st minute at the sold-out Groupama Stadium.
Rose Lavelle rounded off the victory eight minutes later as the Americans added to their 1991, 1999 and 2015 world titles.
After the game, Rapinoe told reporters: “I think everyone is ready for this conversation and move to the next step. I think we’re done with: ‘Are we worth it? Should we have equal pay?’.”
Earlier this year, members of the U.S. squad were named as plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the national football federation alleging gender discrimination.
It was filed in a federal court last month and it says the women are not paid the same as their male counterparts.
On Saturday, Rapinoe launched a scathing attack on FIFA, saying the organization did not respect the women’s game.
Rapinoe said FIFA’s decision to allow the men’s Copa America final and Gold Cup showpiece to take place on the same day as the women’s final was “unbelievable”.
Rapinoe shook Infantino and Macron’s hands as she received her medal.
“It’s unbelievable to know all the people who put in so much in this group,” she said.
“We have all our families and friends here. It’s surreal. I don’t know how to feel right now. It’s ridiculous.”
