The Matildas are taking the extraordinary step of withdrawing from a training camp after a major breakdown in player pay talks.



Fed up with what they see as a raw deal from governing body Football Federation Australia, players won’t train in Sydney this week ahead of two scheduled friendly matches against world champions USA next week.

The move threatens the tour of the US, seen as crucial preparation for the Matildas Olympic qualifying effort, scheduled for February next year.



Goalkeeper and senior figure Lydia Williams said the decision was “extremely difficult” but necessary to make FFA take their claims seriously.



“It’s simply unfair to continue to expect us to make enormous sacrifices to play for Australia,” Williams said. “For the past two months the players have been unpaid and have made every attempt to reach an agreement that gives the women’s game a platform for growth.”

The Professional Footballers Australia [PFA] chief, Adam Vivian, said the breakdown came down to three factors; a lower than expected pay offer, lack of access to a “high performance environment” and a restriction in the Matildas “ability to grow the women’s game”.



“FFA has failed to recognise the significant sacrifices the Matildas players are forced to make in playing for their country,” Vivian said. “The players have sought to have their contribution to the game respected. The current proposal from FFA highlights their unwillingness to meaningfully address the core issues.”

The players union asserts that as the Matildas’ collective bargaining agreement has expired, they are under no obligation to meet.



Negotiations around a future CBA for Socceroos, Matildas and A-League players began over six months ago, with an agreement unable to be reached prior to the deal’s expiration in July.



Williams suggested the high stakes led to the tough outcome. “This is about the future of Australian football,” she said. “We want to establish football as the sport of choice for Australian women, and we want to be one of the best nations in the world.

“FFA’s stance indicates that they do not share these ambitions, nor do they understand and respect what we have given to the game. We are simply asking FFA do their bit so we can grow the game together.”

The Matildas were scheduled to train in Sydney this week ahead of travelling to the US for two matches in Detroit and Birmingham.



Their action follows the Socceroos declining to partake in commercial activities while in camp, in Perth last week. Ange Postecoglou’s side play Tajikistan in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night.