The 2023 SSE Airtricity season will see full-time senior players earn a minimum wage of €430 per week.
The news comes following negotiation talks between the PFAI, the FAI and the representatives of Irish clubs, with the National League Committee yesterday afternoon.
This morning, the PFAI welcomed the announcement and labelled it as a "positive step" for football on the island of Ireland.
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This milestone was reached driven by our members throughout the league. While it is a positive step, there's a lot more to do to ensure the working environment for every player is at the standard expected in a professional league. https://t.co/1sSnvTAN0y— PFA Ireland (@PFAIOfficial) November 7, 2022
As reported by Independent.ie yesterday evening, senior professional players aged 20 and over will receive a minimum wage of €430 a week from next season.
The general secretary of FIFPRO Jonas Baer-Hoffmann has declared the news a "big win" for league of Ireland footballers.
👏Big win for @PFAIOfficial - Minimum wage of €430 per week to be introduced in Ireland 🇮🇪 Congratulations to the players and the union’s team around Stephen McGuinness. I know they will keep pushing for more! ✊ @PFAISolicitor https://t.co/2bswUd74m0
— Jonas Baer-Hoffmann (@BaerHoffmann) November 7, 2022
Part-time players will receive a minimum of €130 per week from the beginning of the pre-season, whereas previous payments would only begin from the commencement of the season.
Reacting to the news, the PFAI have acknowledged that while it is a positive step, there is still work to do: "There's a lot more to do to ensure the working environment for every player is at the standard expected in a professional league."
They also moved to acknowledge the work of chairperson Brendan Clarke, vice chairman Roberto Lopes, as well as Drogheda goalkeeper Lee Steacy and Andy Lyons from Shamrock Rovers.
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.
"Huge credit to Stephen, John, Simone and the management committee for driving this relentlessly forward and to FIFPRO for support."
