Irish women's team threatens strike over treatment by FAI

Members of the Ireland women's national team are threatening to strike after accusing the country's football association of not providing adequate provisions when they're on international duty, according to the Guardian.

Twelve representatives of the squad used Tuesday's press conference ahead of next week's friendly against Slovakia to air their grievances, despite a warning by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) that going public with their allegations could "endanger their careers at club and international level."

Forward Aine O'Gorman said she and her teammates have "changed in public toilets on the way to matches" due to the FAI's failure to organise changing facilities on international jaunts.

"They are being treated as fifth-class citizens, the dirt on the FAI's shoe," said Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland solicitor Stuart Gilhooly. "There is a possibility that the game against Slovakia will not go ahead. The last thing the women's international team want is to not play a game."

Emma Byrne, Ireland's captain and a player for Arsenal Ladies, said the squad had "given up" trying to deal directly with the FAI. She alleges the lack of support from Irish football's governing body has led contemporaries to quit the game.

"We are willing to do whatever it takes at this stage. We are fighting for the future of women's international football. This isn't just about us," said Byrne. "I know players who have had to stop playing. They made the decision they couldn't play any more."

The FAI released a statement expressing its disappointment with the threatened boycott. The organisation stresses that it's recently addressed issues including access to high-performance gyms, hotel accommodation and wi-fi, and a goalkeeping coach, and said it's made five attempts to "engage the team" that have been "rebuked" - the latest of which came Sunday.

The beginning of the FAI statement reads:

The Football Association of Ireland is deeply disappointed that members of the Republic of Ireland Women's National Team have threatened to withdraw from playing for their country in the upcoming match versus Slovakia on April 10, 2017.

The ultimatum by the players concerned comes in spite of repeated invitations from the FAI to the Players to discuss clear and tangible financial offers for the payment and compensation of members of the squad.

Repeated efforts by the Association have been made in a bid to encourage the players to row back from their unprecedented ultimatum.

Ireland finished third in March's Cyprus Women's Cup, and has planned friendly dates with Iceland on June 8 and Scotland on July 6.