Parlow Cone says US Soccer argument vs women was mistake

As a different set of lawyers took over for U.S. Soccer Federation, new USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone disavowed papers submitted by previous attorneys who argued women's national team players h lesser skills and responsibilities than ir male counterparts.

Parlow Cone took over as he of American soccer's governing body last week when Carlos Cordeiro abruptly resigned because of backlash over documents, submitted by USSF as it defended a discrimination lawsuit filed by women's national team players.

Seyfarth Shaw h represented federation since suit was filed in March 2019. Latham & Watkins replaced it in Monday's night's filing, me simultaneously with a statement by Parlow Cone, a former World Cup and Olympic champion for U.S.

“Last week’s legal filing was an error," Parlow Cone said. “It resulted from a fundamental breakdown in our internal process that led to offensive assertions me by federation that do t represent our core values.”

Both sides have moved for summary judgments, asking U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner to decide in ir favor without a trial, currently scheduled for May 5. y filed final documents associated with those requests late Monday night.

Parlow Cone, who h been federation's vice president since last year, became first woman president in USSF's 107-year history. She struck a conciliatory tone.

“ WNT is most successful soccer team in world. As it relates to lawsuit filed by women, I offer perspective of a former player. I kw how important it is for both federation and players to move beyond this and keep working toger on what unites us,” she said. “We only have one federation and one senior women’s national team. We have to work toger and move forward in a positive manner toward what I kw are mutual goals, growing game and winning.”

Players claim y have t been paid equally to men's national team and asked for more than $66 million in dams under Equal Pay Act and Civil Rights Act of 1964.

federation's claims in court documents that women's team didn't have physical abilities or same responsibilities as men's team drew criticism from sponsors, including Coca-Cola Co. and Proctor & Gamble Co., as well as MLS Commissioner Don Garber, a USSF board member.

outcry prompted Cordeiro to issue an apology last week while women's team was playing Japan in SheBelieves Cup. women protested by wearing ir warmup jerseys inside out before game — obscuring U.S. Soccer crest but still showing four stars symbolizing team's World Cup victories.

“se assertions are based on pernicious stereos, are devoid of any factual support in record, and are so imbued with discriminatory animus that n-President Carlos Cordeiro apologized for m on behalf of USSF and resigned his post,” lawyers for players wrote in ir filing Monday. “But his actions do t erase impact of USSF’s mitted motivations, which demonstrate, as a matter of law, that plaintiffs’ sex was at least `a basis' under EPA and `a motivating factor' under Title VII for USSF’s pay discrimination.”

Players countered U.S. Soccer's claims y are paid less because FIFA prize money for men is far greater than funds for women.

FIFA awarded $400 million for 2018 men’s World Cup, including $38 million to champion France — U.S. men failed to qualify. It allocated $30 million for last year’s Women’s World Cup, including $4 million to U.S. after Americans won ir second straight title. FIFA has increased total to $440 million for 2022 men’s World Cup and FIFA President Gianni Infanti has proposed FIFA double women’s prize money to $60 million for 2023.

players maintain that FIFA pays bonuses to national federations, and each makes its own deal with its players.

USSF has said pay for two teams is structured differently because of distinct collective bargaining agreements. men's team is paid by appearance and performance, while women also draw salaries and have benefits.

federation claims women have been collectively paid $37 million to $21 million for men's national team over past five years. women's team has played in more matches and has been more successful during that time frame, winning consecutive World Cup titles. men failed to make field for 2018 World Cup.

“What equality requires is same opportunity to earn as much as men. This opportunity has been repeatedly denied," said Molly Levinson, spokeswoman for players who sued. "USSF also returns to its false argument that women players chose or benefits over equal pay in bargaining.

“ women players sought equal pay and USSF refused. This is also t a defense to an equal pay violation,” she ded. "se are times for unity, t division. USSF should stop trying to change conversation and just change. Pay women players equally.”

Latham & Watkins defended USSF in a w discrimination complaint filed by women's players in 2016 with Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.