Senior full-time professionals in the League of Ireland will be entitled to a minimum wage of €430 week from the beginning of the 2023 season, after a deal thrashed out between the PFAI, the FAI's National League Committee and representatives of the clubs.
The PFAI this morning hailed the news as a "positive step" for football in the country, with the general secretary of FIFPRO (the global players union) Jonas-Baer Hoffman describing it as a "big win" for League of Ireland players.
Under the terms of the deal, which was first revealed by Independent.ie yesterday evening, senior professional players aged 20 and over will receive a minimum wage of €430 a week from next season.
This would mean a significant pay rise for several players operating in full-time clubs in the League of Ireland from next season.
Part-time players will receive a minimum wage of €130 a week, though will now receive payment from the beginning of pre-season on 30 November, ending the practice whereby part-timers only received payment when the season kicked off.
With the relegation of Finn Harps, Drogheda United and UCD are the only part-time clubs in the Premier Division, though the latter face a promotion-relegation play-off against full-time outfit Waterford FC. With Cork City's promotion, Galway United are the only full-time outfit destined to play in the second tier in 2023.
The terms are slightly altered for teenage players, with full-time players at 19 receiving €380, 18-year olds are entitled to a minimum of €330, while it's €280 for 16 and 17-year-olds. The part-time equivalents are €120, €105 and €90.
Greeting the news today, the PFAI said that, while a positive step, there was still "a lot more to do to ensure the working environment for every player is at the standard expected in a professional league."
They also paid tribute to the union leaders who led the efforts for change, Shelbourne goalkeeper and PFAI chairman Brendan Clarke, vice-chairman Roberto Lopes, as well as Drogheda keeper Lee Steacy and Hoops winger Andy Lyons.
Reacting to the news, the PFAI's solicitor Stuart Gilhooley commented on Twitter: "This really was a hard fought win. It shouldn't have to be a big statement to ensure that our players are paid the legal minimum but it was necessary."
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