World will watch if Gleeson's equal pay claim reaches court

Eileen Gleeson has lodged a landmark equality claim against the Football Association of Ireland.

Sun, 31 Aug, 2025 - 15:35

John Fallon

Pay parity among managers in charge of men’s and women’s team would be revolutionised if Eileen Gleeson wins her landmark equality claim against the Football Association of Ireland.

Gleeson lodged her case under a series of headings, including alleged “coercion” into succeeding Vera Pauw on an initial caretaker basis following the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

She further contends the criteria used to end her permanent tenure after just 12 months was discriminatory compared to different treatment applied for men’s boss Stephen Kenny being ditched a year earlier.

Yet the core element is seeking compensation for the difference between pay levels of around €550,000.

No football federation globally has introduced such a policy despite countries such as Ireland, Norway and Australia striking accords on equal pay for players.

There’s been talk that the world’s top-ranked nation, USA, would synchronise managerial salaries but while Emma Hayes left Chelsea for a rise to €1.5m, her equivalent for the men’s team, Mauricio Pochettino, pockets €6m per annum.

No correlation exists either in the wages paid by the English FA to Thomas Tuchel and their back-to-back Euro-winning supremo Sarina Wiegman.

Gleeson initiated the grievance while she was effectively on gardening leave from the FAI.

During this time, she aired her feelings on pay gaps within her LinkedIn page.

“Good to hear the topic of salary disparities between coaches in women’s and men’s game up for discussion," read a post in March. "As highlighted below, despite female (game) coaches operating within constraints of lower service levels and resources, subject to relative expectations and demands, comparative head coach salaries differ by multiples.

“I'd extend this to women's head coach versus men’s assistant coach and across broader women’s team staff.

“Of course, the go-to and get-out is market value, but it seems Equal Pay Act (Ireland for me) sits in the shadows. We need much more critical discussion if we are to get close to anything that looks like parity.”

Ireland captain Katie McCabe was asked at a press conference about equilibrium extending to managers in March 2024:

“We want parity across the board, of course,” she replied.

“I want female journalists getting the same as male journalists. Of course, we strive for parity. In a perfect world everyone would be happy and it would be great.

“I’m a footballer. I concentrate on football so it’s not up to me but of course I’d like parity across the game.”

Gleeson initially held the position of head of women’s and girls’ football before taking on the international post but the contract included a clause guaranteeing her employment if that role ceased.

She only recently returned to work after the FAI created a new portfolio as head of football strategic insights and planning, reporting to new chief operating officer Christina Kenny.

Details of the case, first reported in the Sunday Independent, will be embarrassing for an association who plan to tackle their €40m by shedding a significant portion of its 240-person workforce through voluntary and compulsory redundancies.

They also face a grilling on September 24 before a Joint Oireachtas committee over their handling of historical abuse cases against female footballers.

Fianna Fáil TD Pádraig O'Sullivan has disputed the FAI’s timeline of events leading up to a media investigation exposing the culture within the Ireland camp and female-only training courses.

Gleeson is represented in proceedings by Hayes solicitors but the FAI, who’ve again retained Mason, Curran and Hayes for this employment dispute, intend rigorously denying the claims.

“The FAI treats all matters of alleged discrimination within Irish football with the utmost seriousness,” said their statement on Sunday.

“Due to ongoing legal proceedings, the association cannot comment on any allegations but refutes claims made in a reported case and are currently preparing a strong legal defence as part of the court proceedings.

“With the development of women and girls’ football over recent years, the association has made significant investment into overall standards that has led to progress both on and off the pitch. The association is committed to making continued improvements to help strengthen and grow the game, across all levels.”