Doesn’t seem fair
FC Barcelona took flight to Portland today for their pre-season tour. But the organisation of their flight came under severe criticism when it became clear that the women’s team – who are travelling on the same tour – were sat in economy class, while the men’s team flew business class.
As documented by Twitter account @BarcaWomen, there was a photo taken of players from both teams before they separated before take off.
There was a team captains' photo in Business Class, before the men assumed their Business Class seats & the women returned to their Economy Seats. pic.twitter.com/i96VtPIupD
— Michele Taylor (@BarcaWomen) July 24, 2018
Most of the Barcelona squad travelling on the tour are back-up and members of the Barça B squad, due to the fact that most of the first team are still being given time off after the World Cup. The women’s team on the tour, on the other hand, comprises a full strength first team squad, but the men were still given preferential treatment.
Yeah – the men's team is mostly players from the Barça B men's team, but the senior women's team gets Economy! pic.twitter.com/moy1x6tt1o
— Michele Taylor (@BarcaWomen) July 24, 2018
There is clearly still a long way to go in addressing the inherent inequalities between men’s and women’s football.
Regardless of each team’s commercial draw, both are representing the same badge and should of course be given the same treatment by their club, all the way down to which class they fly in.