The South African Football Association (SAFA) has cleared the air over recent media reports published that claims that the FA had not paid the senior women's national team their bonus after winning the COSAFA Cup and for qualifying for the 2018 Africa Women Cup of Nations.
Media reports emerged alleging that Banyana Banyana players were owed their daily allowances and bonuses for winning the COSAFA Cup in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and allowances during their camp for the Women's AFCON qualifiers which were played last month.
SAFA's Head of Communications, Dominic Chimhavi spoke to Soccer Laduma and stated to Siya crew that the matter had been exaggerated and that the bonuses have since been settled.
According to SAFA man, the Banyana players did not receive their allowances and bonuses due to a hold up in payment and dispensation of the prize money.
"We would like to clear the air once and for all. The matter was erroneously reported but I can confirm that monies due to players from COSAFA Cup have been processed and paid," said Chimhavi.
"Once the monies were paid by the organisers, there are processes which needed to be followed, like how such monies are dispensed to the players."
Chimhavi further explained that over and above the daily allowances Banyana players earn when they represent the nation, the bonuses the players receive are based on their overall appearances and contribution in the qualification campaign.
"It needs to be highlighted that the bonuses are paid to players according to their overall appearances. The amount is not a flat rate for all players but rather the fee is based on a player's appearances," he added.
"Players' bonuses have been paid, that is the bottom line," Chimhavi told Soccer Laduma.
"SAFA is extremely proud of the achievements of the senior women's national team for qualifying for the Women's AFCON and winning the COSAFA Cup. We are focused on helping Coach Desiree Ellis and the players in doing well at this competition so we can qualify for the Women's World Cup next year.
"We want to express our gratitude to long-serving sponsors SASOL for their commitment in backing women's football in South Africa. Unfortunately, women's football does not attract the same level of backing as the men's game and this is a global phenomenon," he continued citing why there were discrepancies in appearance fees and bonuses for women and men.
The FA's Communications Head further expressed that he was surprised at the fact that some informed media personnel can ask this question.
"Do the Proteas or Springboks women teams get paid the same amount as their men's counterpart? The answer is no.
"Or do female players from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United or Arsenal women's team get paid the same amount as their male counterparts? No.
"The reality is corporates pay more towards men's games as opposed to their female counterparts and until the day the corporates pour as much money into women's games, the same way they do on men's games, these differences will remain a harsh reality," concluded Chimhavi.
