Why Women’s FA Cup prize money increase shouldn’t mask the bigger issue

In a big win for women’s football this week, it was revealed the total prize money for the Women’s FA Cup is set to receive a huge increase. 

This is something that has long been called for by players, teams and fans. Some sides have struggled to even participate in the competition because the costs of competing far outweigh the financial rewards on offer. 

Indeed, Clapton Community FC were forced to launch a crowdfunding campaign to cover their away trips on course to the third round this season. 

The new fund will be around £3 million –– a tenfold increase on the current amount of prize money allocated to the women’s competition. The FA say a ‘disproportionate amount’ of this sum will be invested into the early rounds, to help lower league teams, such as Clapton, ‘feel the benefit’ of this monetary increase. 

But while it’s pleasing to see the FA have finally taken action, this is no reason for them to suddenly be immune from criticism or for them to be exempt from taking further steps to level the playing field. 

Because though this is a step in the right direction, it is merely a step, and one that has been a long time coming. It should, therefore, not be used as a foil to disregard the other issues that are still prevalent within the sport. 

The fact of the matter is that women’s football remains a long way off equality and an increase in prize money for a single competition is not going to suddenly excuse that reality. 

As reported by the Guardian, the FA have now, at long last, taken steps to address the prize money imbalance within the Women’s FA Cup. 

Last season, Chelsea’s win against Arsenal at Wembley saw them profit just £25,000 for winning the competition. In the same men’s equivalent competition, at the