Ex-Rangers defender Frank de Boer has caused a stir after claiming that male and female footballers should NOT earn equal pay - because the women's game doesn't draw the same numbers.
Dutchman de Boer, 49, had strong views on the wage debate that has raged on for a number of years.
His countrywomen made it all the way to the Women's World Cup Final this summer where they lost out to USA, encouraging the Royal Dutch FA to commit to equal pay for men and women in the national team.
READ MORE: Glenn Middleton reveals why he joined on loan from Rangers
But de Boer - who made 15 appearances for Gers in 2004 - lambasted his country's policy because, according to him, the numbers just don't add up.
Speaking to the Guardian about the policy, de Boer said: "I think for me, it’s ridiculous.
"It’s the same like tennis. If there are watching, for the World Cup final, 500 million people or something like that, and 100 million for a women’s final, that’s a difference.
"So it’s not the same. And of course they have to be paid what they deserve to [earn] and not less, just what they really deserve.
"If it’s just as popular as the men, they will get it, because the income and the advertising will go into that.
READ MORE: Josh McPake savours a dream summer as he signs new Ibrox deal and makes Rangers debut
"But it’s not like that, so why do they have to earn the same? I think it’s ridiculous. I don’t understand that."
The multi-time Eredevisie champion and Champions League winner went on to explain how women do deserve equal pay in jobs where the scale is similar.
He added: "I think it started because a woman [was] getting underpaid, especially at [managerial] positions.
"[Women] have to earn the same as a man. I think if you have a manager position for a bank or something, you have to earn the same what the men did because it’s not physically, just only here [points to head], so why do you have to earn less, because you’re doing the same job as a man?
"I think that’s also dropped a little bit into the sports world, like tennis and soccer. But I think that’s still different."
READ MORE: Rangers don’t need both main strikers in the team to score goals, says Hateley
A number of people around the world criticised de Boer's opinions and blasted his views on social media.
One said: "Wow I can't believe this complete grifter who's been coasting on reputation alone for 5 years is mega insecure, who could have seen that coming".
Another added: "Frank de Boer is an even dumber human than I thought."
One commented: "For everyone looking for a legitimate reason to not like Frank De Boer, he helped you out today."
A fourth wrote: "I believe Frank de Boer is a f***ing dope".
Others backed the former Barcelona man.
One wrote: "Frank de Boer talking some proper sense".
Another said: "I agree with this fella."
A third fan commented: "Frank de Boer is just right."
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel