In a major move to ensure sustained equal football development, the Finnish FA (SPL) have announced that in their new player contracts, there will be equal pay for their men’s and women’s national teams, Bestchoicesports.com.ng understands.

“A great day,” tweeted Finnish national team striker Linda Sällström (pictured). “I feel proud to be a Finnish footballer. In addition to our common dreams and goals, we now also share the same contract terms among Finland’s A teams.”

With the move the Finnish FA will follow in the footsteps of among others the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway, who had previously announced equal pay for their women’s national teams. “This is one of the reasons we are investing in women’s football. We want to be involved in developing a more responsible and equal society,” SPL president Ari Lahti said in a press release.

The announcement concludes a longstanding battle for equal pay. In 2017, Finland’s Ombudsman for Equality investigated the issue of unequal pay at national team level, but the body ultimately decided that the pay discrepancy was not in breach of the national Equality Act.

Men’s captain Tim Sparv also welcomed the news. “This contract is truly significant,” Sparv told local media. “I’m really pleased for the women’s team. The [Finnish] Football Association is a pioneer in this way.”

2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup winners, USA ladies are currently in court with the country’s FA demanding for equal pay with the male national soccer team.