Key takeaways from the FIFA report on women's football:

• The average salary for a female professional player is $10,900, heavily influenced by top clubs.
• Tier 1 clubs offer average salaries around $24,030, with a significant disparity compared to Tiers 2 and 3.
• Attendance remains low despite record crowds at select matches, indicating potential for growth in fan engagement.

MANCHESTER, England: According to FIFA's recently released annual report, the average salary for a female professional soccer player globally is just $10,900. This figure is significantly skewed due to the presence of a few high-paying clubs in the industry. Among the 41 clubs classified by FIFA as Tier 1, the average salary is approximately $24,030, while the best-paid players in this group can earn around $120,000. Conversely, the pay at Tier 2 and 3 clubs drastically drops to $4,361 and $2,805 respectively, indicating a major discrepancy in remuneration within the sport.

The report highlights the necessity for female players to secure consistent and adequate incomes from their contracts. A significant observation within the report was the prevalent issue of short player contracts, particularly at Tier 3 clubs, where agreements often last under three months. As noted, "A longer contract enables players to commit to a club and a location, giving them more stability so they can focus on their footballing careers."

Attendance figures also revealed concerning trends, with the Women's Super League witnessing a record crowd of 60,160 for Arsenal's match against Manchester United last year. However, average attendance at Tier 1 clubs is just 1,713, and significantly lower at Tier 2 and 3 venues, averaging 480 and 380 fans respectively. The report underlined that 23% of clubs played some games at venues outside of their regular home grounds, with attendance at these alternate locations often reflecting a doubled interest in the women's game.

Moreover, the representation of women in coaching roles remains low, with only 22% of head coaches being female across all tiers. However, there is a slightly better gender balance among referees, with 42% of officiating roles held by women, a figure that ranges from 57% in Tier 1 leagues to just 25% in Tiers 2 and 3.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the progress made in women's football, stating that while the developments in recent years are commendable, there is still significant work needed to fully realize the potential of women's soccer. “The strides made in recent years have been remarkable, but there is still more work to be done to unlock its full potential,” said Infantino.

The report was compiled based on surveys sent to 135 leagues and 1,518 clubs, with responses from 677 clubs across 90 leagues, providing insight into various factors that affect women's football.

To see the complete details of the report, visit Channel News Asia or South China Morning Post.