Denmark's male footballers have refused a pay rise as a national team in order for their female counterparts to receive equal basic pay.

The national football association (DBU) had been looking to ensure equal pay for players at international level, but both squads were not in favour of taking money from the men's team to pay their women's players.

Instead the players’ union, Spillerforeningen, and the likes of Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Kasper Schmeichel came up with a plan under which they would refuse a pay rise so both teams would receive the same basic remuneration for appearing for the national side.

A 15% decrease in the men’s team insurance coverage also allowed them to upgrade the women’s team coverage by 50%, as well as that of the Under-21 men’s team by more than 40%. The new four-year agreement with the DBU will come into effect after Euro 2024.

The plan also includes the players and the DBU jointly creating a clubhouse which can be used by all national teams – men, women and youth teams – as well as a development fund. The fund will be partly paid for by the men’s team when they qualify for the World Cup, or Euros, as well as the DBU, with both contributing one million Danish krone ($143,289).

In recent years, several federations have granted equal pay to national teams - including England, Northern Ireland and Wales. Denmark are the latest side to ensure their women's team are treated with the same level of respect, and resources, countless men's players have experienced for generations.

As women's football continues to grow and reach new heights, the support of male allies - on and off the pitch - will make sure the women's game is both successful and sustainable. Shoutout to Denmark for showing what it really means to represent your nation: paving the way and being the change you want to see in the world - that's how you make your country proud.