Japan upset about flying economy?

Published Jul. 18, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Japan's women's soccer team isn't keeping quiet about its accommodations to the 2012 Olympics.

Members of the squad have complained about having to fly economy class while the men's team was given seats in business class, according to BBC News.

The women's team is a strong contender to earn a gold medal this summer but was required to fly premium economy — an upgrade from economy — to Paris. The men's team, meanwhile, is not expected to win a medal.

"I guess it should have been the other way around," star player Homare Sawa told Japanese media.

Sawa said her team flew business class last year, but that was only after it won the World Cup.

"Even just in terms of age, we are senior," she jokingly said after arriving in Paris on Monday.

Sawa, 33, will be competing in the Olympics for the fourth time in her career as Japan's oldest player.

Most of Japan's athletes have been given economy class seats — with a few exceptions — by its Olympic Committee, according to BBC News.

The outlet also reports that the country's men's soccer team has been funded by the Japan Football Association to fly business class since 1996.

Local media say the association claims the seat upgrade for the men's team was in recognition of the players' professional status.