Euro 2022: The prize money on offer and why it's caused complaints

Just six weeks before some of the world’s most talented footballers take to the stage for Euro 2022, a seismic event has happened in the United States.

For years, members of the US women’s national team had fought for equal pay, before filing a gender discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer in March 2019.

The players suffered criticism and numerous knockbacks, but they finally achieved their aim. After agreeing a $22 million (£16.2 million) settlement with US Soccer in February, new collective bargaining agreements were announced last week.

The men and women’s teams will now pool their World Cup prize money, along with their share of television and sponsorship revenues.

Female players will also compete at the same venues, stay in hotels of the same standard, and be given an equal number of charter flights as their male counterparts.

Euro 2022 will be held against the backdrop of a new age for women’s football across the Atlantic Ocean. As such, there is likely to be increased scrutiny on the offerings available for this summer’s tournament, even though the US will not be involved.

Well, it’s good news and bad news. As part of its women’s football strategy, Time For Action, UEFA has doubled the prize pot for Euro 2022.

The 16 teams will share a total of €16 million (£13.6 million), with the winner receiving €2.4 million (£2 million). The runners-up will get €2 million (£1.7 million) and the semi-finalists €1.4 million (£1.2 million) each.

In addition, a clubs benefit programme was introduced for the first time, with €4.5 million (£3.8 million) available to the European teams releasing players for the tournament.

When considering the €8 million (£6.8 million) prize pot which was on offer at Euro 2017, the amount of cash