- Women’s team had threatened strike action over funding and pay inequality
- Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis resigned last week amid dispute
- Final CBA remains under negotiation
Canada Soccer has agreed a deal in principle on an interim funding agreement with its senior national women’s team.
The Olympic champions issued a statement via the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA) last month complaining about the level of funding from Canada Soccer, the national governing body, with captain Christine Sinclair saying the team were going on strike over the matter.
After that action was subsequently called off, Canada players then wore purple shirts displaying the words ‘enough is enough’ as a protest ahead of their matches at the SheBelieves Cup.
A statement from the association on 2nd March said: ‘Canada Soccer has announced that a deal in principle has been reached with the women’s national team players on an interim funding agreement, for 2022.
‘The terms of the interim agreement mirror a similar deal with the men’s national team players that includes per-game incentives and results-based compensation.
‘A new overarching collective bargaining agreement with both of our national teams is still being negotiated. Therefore, the interim funding agreement with the women’s national team players is subject to change on the basis of details included in the final collective bargaining agreement.
‘With the principle terms of agreement now in place between Canada Soccer and the women’s national team players, final details of the interim funding agreement are being finalised by their respective legal counsel.’
Canada Soccer general secretary Earl Cochrane said: “We have been consistent and public about the need to have fairness and equal pay be pillars of any new agreements with our players, and we are delivering on that today.
“While this is an important step forward, and it signals progress, there is still more work to do to ensure both of our national programmes are given the necessary resources and supports to prepare and compete.”
On 27th February, Nick Bontis resigned as Canada Soccer president, saying: “While I have been one of the biggest proponents of equalising the competitive performance environment for our women’s national team, I will unfortunately not be leading this organisation when it happens. I acknowledge that this moment requires change.”
Charmaine Crooks has been elevated from vice president to acting president.
The resignation of Bontis was welcomed by the CSPA and the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team Players’ Association (CMNSTPA) as “one necessary step” in ensuring the future success of the national teams. The pair are also requesting “transparent and comprehensive access” from Canada Soccer to financial records following recent funding cuts.
Additionally, the CSPA and CMNSTPA want Canada Soccer to address the unauthorised use of player images and financial restraints imposed by the governing body’s agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB).
Launched in 2018, CSB represents all commercial inventory of Canada Soccer and the men’s Canadian Premier League (CPL) domestic top tier.
While the Canadian women’s team had threatened strike action earlier this year, the men’s side did go on strike in June 2022 after accusing Canada Soccer of “disrespect” over World Cup prize money, adding that they “wholeheartedly support” the women’s team.
Canada Soccer spent CAD$11 million (US$8.1 million) on the men’s programme in 2021 compared to CADUS$5.1 million (US$3.6 million) on the women’s equivalent.
The women’s players described the difference as “disgusting” and are seeking the same backing for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup as the men received for last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
PA Media contributed to this report.
