Union President Zingler Calls for Greater Support for Women's Football

In a strong statement regarding the current state of women's football in Germany, Dirk Zingler, the president of Union Berlin, has highlighted the disparities in financial support compared to men's football. Ahead of the Bundesliga debut of the Union women's team, Zingler criticized the insufficient investment in the women's game, stating that the potential of women's football is not being fully realized.

Zingler pointed out that while professional football in Germany enjoys substantial financial backing, the resources allocated to women's teams are far from adequate. He expressed disappointment at the minimal advancements in salaries and overall support for female athletes in the sport. His remarks come as the Union women's team prepares to face 1. FC Nürnberg, having successfully transitioned from regional to Bundesliga status.

The team, which has recently begun to professionalize, has made significant improvements, including offering player contracts with competitive salaries. Zingler emphasized that the women's team is seen as an integral part of the club, advocating for a unified approach to resources and financial management within the organization.

He compared the situation of Union Berlin with other clubs, particularly pointing out FC Bayern, which is expected to draw over 50,000 fans for their opening match against Bayer Leverkusen. Zingler lamented the fact that such large audiences remain the exception rather than the norm for women's matches.

The Union president's goal is for female players to earn salaries comparable to their male counterparts, ideally in the range of EUR30,000 to EUR50,000 or even higher. He believes that achieving this level of compensation is possible if the overall market for women's football expands. However, he noted that the current environment in Germany tends to suppress the growth of the women's game.

Zingler's comments reflect a growing awareness and advocacy for equality in sports, particularly in terms of financial resources and visibility. His call to action emphasizes the need for clubs to genuinely commit to the professionalization of women's football, ensuring that players are compensated fairly and provided with the opportunities necessary for their development.