Alisha Lehmann Blasts Football's Gender Pay Gap

Aston Villa Star Douglas Luiz Earns '100,000 Times More' Than Girlfriend

Swiss International Calls for Equal Pay in Football

Swiss international footballer Alisha Lehmann has hit out at the gender pay gap in football, claiming that her boyfriend, Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz, earns '100,000 times more' than her.

The 23-year-old forward, who plays for Aston Villa Women, made the comments in an interview with The Times.

She said: "It's not fair. I think women should be paid the same as men. We train just as hard, we play just as hard, and we deserve to be paid the same."

Lehmann's comments come amid growing calls for equal pay in football.

In 2020, the Norwegian women's football team became the first national team to achieve equal pay with their male counterparts.

And in March 2022, the United States women's football team settled a long-running lawsuit with the US Soccer Federation, which will see them receive $24 million in back pay and damages.

But Lehmann says that there is still a long way to go to achieve equal pay in football.

"I think it's going to take a long time," she said.

"But I think we're on the right track. We're starting to see more and more women speaking out about it, and I think that's going to make a difference."

Lehmann's comments have been praised by many in the football world.

Former England international Karen Carney tweeted: "Well said, Alisha. It's time for women in football to be paid the same as men."

And former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright said: "Alisha Lehmann is absolutely right. Women should be paid the same as men in football."