Tommy Martin: Time football turned new-found spirit of activism towards support of all women?

Doing the right thing by women’s football is expected now, thankfully. But how often the game does right by women in general?

Alex Iwobi (L) and Seamus Coleman of Everton take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Coleman played a key role in the deal that made the FAI the latest national soccer association to pay its men’s and women’s senior squads equal match fees. Picture: Marc Atkins/Getty

It's common these days for footballers to do the right thing. They take the knee against racism and campaign to feed hungry children. They wear rainbow laces in support of LGBTQ+ rights and dedicate time and wealth towards worthwhile charities. Many of them have a conscience to match their influence.

Just this week, Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman helped negotiate the deal that made the FAI the latest national soccer association to pay its men’s and women’s senior squads equal match fees. The men agreed to forgo a few bob of their €2,500-per-game fee to allow the hard-up association to make the sums work.