Rapinoe wants pay talk in women’s football to ‘move to the next step’

Megan Rapinoe declared it was time for the conversation about pay in womens football to move forward to the next step after she helped the United States retain their World Cup title.The holders 2-0 victory over Holland in the final in Lyon saw Rapinoe score the opener with a coolly converted 61st-minute penalty before Rose Lavelle added a fine strike eight minutes later.On the eve of the match Rapinoe had spoken at a pre-match press conference about the gap in prize money between the mens and womens World Cups.Megan Rapinoe scored the opening goal of the World Cup final against Holland (PA Wire)On Sunday the 34-year-old was asked what she thought about chants of equal pay and boos for FIFA president Gianni Infantino from the crowd after the game.And Rapinoe who ended up with the tournaments Golden Boot for top scorer and Golden Ball award for best player said: I think everyone is ready for this conversation to move to the next step.I think were done with the are we worth this, should we have equal pay, are the markets the same? Everyone is done with that. Fans are done with that. Players are done with that. In a lot of ways I think sponsors and everyone is done with that. Lets get to the next point of whats next, how do we support womens federations and womens programmes around the world, what can FIFA do to do that, what can we do to support the leagues around the world.We put on, every player at this World Cup, the most incredible show that you could ever ask for and we cant do anything more to impress more, to be better ambassadors, to take on more, to play better, to do anything.Its time to move that conversation forward to the next step.FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, was booed by fans at the stadium (Alessandra Tarantino/AP)She added: And a little public shame never hurt anyone right? So Im down with the boos.Rapinoes goal was her sixth of a tournament in which she was accused of disrespect by US President Donald Trump for having said Im not going to the f***ing White House when asked ahead of the World Cup if she would visit were her team to claim the trophy.US boss Jill Ellis hailed Rapinoe after the final, saying: I think Megan was built for this, built for these moments, built to be a spokesperson for others.She speaks well, from her heart. I think we need people like that in the game, to be honest, to call things for what they are.I think almost the bigger the spotlight the more she shines. Sometimes spotlights can burn people but I think for Megan it just highlights who she is.Ellis also said with a smile I wouldnt bet on that when asked about the possibility of being invited to the White House.Congratulations to the U.S. Womens Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2019President Trump tweeted after the match: Congratulations to the U.S. Womens Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){i['GoogleAnalyticsObject']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){

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