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Brisbane Roar W-League pay dispute resolved as club backs down

Brisbane Roar's W-League standoff has been resolved after the club backed down from an attempt to make players accept a 40 percent pay cut.

The decision means the Roar women's team will play this season on the terms agreed with former managing director Daniel Cobb.

Cobb offered increased deals just a few days before his two-month reign at the club came to an end earlier this year.

"The resolution that has been achieved is a sensible one and the renewed investment across the women's programme is encouraging for the entire sport," Professional Footballers Australia chief executive John Didiluca said in a statement.

"The matter reinforces the increasing focus on the W-League and the competition's critical importance to the entire industry."

The revised contracts offered by new managing director Mark Kingsman were a substantial increase on with what Brisbane W-League players earned last season but less than Cobb had offered.

The Roar were criticised for trying to scrap legally-binding agreements -- signed in good faith by players who already battle to make a living -- for what amounted to just a $45,000 saving.

Matilda Tameka Butt, who is playing overseas, was not among the squad of 15 W-League players unveiled by the Roar on Friday, but it is believed she has been issued a new deal and has indicated a desire to stay at the club.

New Zealand international Kirstie Yallop -- who signed a contract under Cobb but was told it would not be honoured and has not been issued with a new one - was also not named, and her case may be pursued further by the PFA.

Captain Claire Polkinghorne and fellow national representative Katrina Gorry have committed to Brisbane, along with reigning player of the year Angela Beard and two new imports, American midfielder Maddy Evans and Danish defender Nina Frausing-Pedersen.

"It's great that this group of committed footballers who love the club can now focus on the upcoming W-League campaign," coach Mel Andreatta said.

The Roar take on Sydney FC in their W-League opener at Dunmore Park in Brisbane on Saturday, Nov. 5.

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