Los Angeles (AFP)
The date of the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the American world champions against their National Football Federation has been postponed from May 5 to June 16, according to an order from the California judge in charge of the case.
Judge Gary Klausner thus acceded on Wednesday to the request of the two parties wishing to better prepare, in the context of the galloping coronavirus pandemic.
For three weeks, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered statewide containment to slow the spread of Covid-19.
Klausner also postponed a pre-trial conference scheduled for April 20 to June 1.
The players of the United States team, led by activist star Megan Rapinoe, decided last year to sue their federation which they accuse of wage discrimination based on sex. They are claiming $ 66 million in back wages under equal pay and the Civil Rights Act.
The complainants claim that they were not paid fairly compared to the players for the national men's team.
What is being challenged by the body, which sparked outrage by arguing in a case, presented in early March, that being a member of the men's national team required a higher level of skill, based on speed and strength, and took on greater responsibility.
These words had caused an uproar among players, leaders and sponsors such as Coca-Cola, prompting the president of the Federation Carlos Cordeiro to resign.
He was replaced by Vice President Cindy Parlow Cone. Wishing to avoid the trial being held, she immediately arranged to have these arguments withdrawn, in a new file filed with the court ten days ago.
© 2020 AFP