The Republic of Ireland Women’s National Team (WNT) and the FAI will hold mediation talks this evening after the playing squad decided not to attend their training camp this afternoon in Dublin.
PFA Ireland Player Executive Ollie Cahill said that the decision not to train was made at a team meeting.
“The players have not taken this decision lightly," he said.
“The players wish to make clear that they simply want the FAI to respect their right to choose their own representatives and have all the outstanding issues which are affecting their ability to achieve their maximum potential for their country resolved in a swift, amicable and professional manner.”
The FAI earlier today invited the WNT to mediation talks this evening and SIPTU Services Division Organiser Ethel Buckley confirmed discussions will take place later today.
“Members of the team and their PFA Ireland and SIPTU representatives will attend a meeting with a mediator to discuss the issues in this dispute, this evening at 6.00pm. It is our understanding that representatives of the FAI will also be meeting with the mediator.
“The players and their representatives are encouraged by a communication sent to team members today by the FAI inviting them to attend the mediation process along with their representatives.”
Speaking at UEFA's annual congress in Helsinki, where he was elected to the organisation's executive committee, FAI CEO John Delaney said he wouldn't comment ahead of mediation but hoped the dispute could be resolved.
"I've been away the last number of days but as I understand it, mediation has been agreed," he told RTÉ Sport.
"It wouldn't be proper for me to comment now but I just hope all matters get resolved."
Solicitor for PFAI, Stuart Gilhooly, said he was hopeful that the international match against Slovakia will go ahead and reiterated his stance that the team were not looking for much and were not even looking to be paid the same fees as their male counterparts.
If the women's game is to progress, he said, there had to be investment, adding that the women were not looking for a lot.
“They're simply looking for a reasonable sum and to be reimbursed, if they're not professionals, for any loss of earnings they have,” he told RTÉ.
“Some of the players tell us they could lose as much as €5-7,000 per year as a result of playing for their country - how can that be right?"
The women were seeking, he said, a €300 fee per match.
Former WNT manager Noel King told Morning Ireland that claims that they are treated like ‘fifth class citizens’ are outrageous and an insult.
“It was what the solicitor had to say from the PFAI, ‘dirt on the shoe, fifth class citizen’ - that is outrageous,” said King, who is now Ireland Under-21 boss.
“Completely wrong. It’s an insult to anyone who has been involved with developing the game, to bring the women’s game to where it is."
