Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Thursday 12 March 2020
Coca-Cola on U.S. Soccer: `unacceptable and offensive'

By ANNE M. PETERSON The USSF says disparities
AP Sports Writer in pay between the men
Coca-Cola criticized the and women are the result
U.S. Soccer Federation of separate collective bar-
for saying in legal papers gaining agreements with
that women did not have different terms.
the same responsibilities or The women's team re-
physical ability as men on ceives salaries and benefits
its national teams. the men don't.
The Coca-Cola Co. called In addition, the USSF cites
the statements by the fed- FIFA's World Cup prize mon-
eration in the defense of a ey — $38 million awarded
gender discrimination suit to the French Football Fed-
"unacceptable and offen- eration for the men's title in
sive." 2018 and $4 million to the
"We have asked to meet USSF for last year's women's
with them immediately to title. The USSF claims it bas-
express our concerns. es bonuses for the women
The Coca-Cola Co. is firm in in the tournament on the
its commitment to gender prize money the federation
equality, fairness and wom- receives.
en's empowerment in the Procter & Gamble, which
United States and around supports the USSF through
the world and we expect USA players celebrate after a Carli Lloyd goal during the She Believes Cup women's soccer game its Secret deodorant brand,
of USA vs. England at Exploria Stadium in Orlando on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
the same from our part- Associated Press last year donated $529,000
ners," Coca-Cola said in a to help close the gender
statement, first reported by "A reasonable juror could woman for the players in la's statement. pay gap: $23,000 for each
The Wall Street Journal on conclude that the job of the lawsuit, said "this 'argu- Players filed the gender dis- of the 23 players on the U.S.
Wednesday. MNT player requires materi- ment' belongs in the Paleo- crimination lawsuit in fed- World Cup roster.
Coca-Cola has been a ally different skill and more lithic Era." eral court in Los Angeles Secret took out a full page
long-term partner with the responsibility than plaintiffs' "It sounds as if it has been last year, claiming they are ad in The New York Times
USSF as well as a global job does, while also taking made by a caveman," she paid less than their coun- that said:
sponsor of the World Cup place under materially dif- said in a statement. "Liter- terparts on the men's na- "We urge the US Soccer
since 1974. ferent working conditions," ally everyone in the world tional team. Federation to be a beacon
In court documents filed USSF lawyers wrote. understands that an argu- The women are seeking of strength and end gen-
Monday in response to the "The job of MNT player ment that male players more than $66 million in der pay inequality once
players' motion for a sum- (competing against se- 'have more responsibility' is damages under the Equal and for all."
mary judgment, the USSF nior men's national teams) just plain simple sexism and Pay Act and the Civil Rights LUNA Bar said last year it
said the women claimed requires a higher level of illustrates the very gender Act of 1964, and a trial is was awarding each of the
their ability level is the same skill based on speed and discrimination that caused scheduled for May 5. 23 women on the U.S. roster
as the men "by ignoring strength than does the job us to file this lawsuit to be- Both sides have moved for $31,250, the amount it said
the materially higher level of WNT player (competing gin with." summary judgments, ask- was how much more play-
of speed and strength re- against senior women's na- The USSF did not immedi- ing U.S. District Judge R. ers on the men's team earn
quired to perform the job tional teams)." ately respond to a request Gary Klausner to decide in for making a World Cup
of an MNT player." Molly Levinson, spokes- for comment on Coca-Co- their favor without a trial. roster.q

Coronavirus "But I told the guys: 'Why

did we all start loving this
Continued from Page 17 tact with him" have been game and playing it? Did
isolated. we do it because we need
The list is expected to The pinnacle of the col- people to watch us, or
grow. lege basketball season, did we do it because we
Also Wednesday, the Mar- the NCAA Tournament is a loved it?'
iners said they will move month-long festival of pep "It will have a different
all of their home games bands and face-painting feel but it will still be highly
in March out of Seattle, and a cash cow that, competitive, and the kids
the U.S. city hardest-hit by along with football, helps will still play like there's no
the outbreak; the team fund non-revenue sports tomorrow," he said. "They'll
and Major League Base- at schools throughout the make the most of it. We'll
ball have not decided country. The decision to make the most of it."
whether the games will be play in fanless arenas will Elsewhere, the Ivy League
played at the opponent's cost millions in ticket sales In this March 18, 2015, file photo, the NCAA logo is displayed at canceled all spring
center court as work continues at The Consol Energy Center in
ballpark or a neutral site. but preserve billions in TV Pittsburgh, for the NCAA college basketball tournament. sports, as many Ameri-
And the Italian soccer rights fees. Associated Press can schools told students
club Juventus said de- The 68-team men's tourna- not to return from spring
fender Daniele Rugani ment is scheduled to begin COVID-19, which was de- the highest stakes on the break and prepare for
has COVID-19 — the first Tuesday in Dayton, Ohio, clared a global pandemic biggest stage, and it's hard classes to be taught on-
player in the country's top where Gov. Mike DeW- by the World Health Orga- to imagine that if nobody line. The conference had
division to test positive. ine has announced plans nization on Wednesday. is around to see it," said Bill already canceled its men's
The team said Rugani and to ban "mass gatherings" "You dream of this situation Self, the coach of the top- and women's basketball
"those who have had con- to combat the spread of where you're playing for ranked Kansas Jayhawks. tournaments.q