Canada Soccer has announced that an agreement in principle has been made with the women’s national team players regarding an interim funding agreement for 2022.
The women’s team has claimed that they have not yet received payment for the current season. The interim agreement will offer per-game incentives and results-based compensation, which mirror a similar deal with the men’s national team.
The terms of this agreement could change once a new collective bargaining agreement has been made with both the men’s and women’s national teams.
The announcement of the interim agreement comes amid a long-standing dispute between Canada Soccer and the women’s national team. Players such as Christine Sinclair and Janine Beckie have voiced their concerns about pay equity and fair treatment. In June 2021, Canada’s men’s national team refused to play an exhibition game against Panama, and the women’s team played under protest at the SheBelieves Cup last month. This followed Canada Soccer threatening legal action against the team, stating that they were not in a position to strike at the time.
Canada Soccer has had a busy week, with president Nick Bontis resigning on Monday, saying that “this moment requires change.” On Wednesday, five-time Olympian and Order of Canada member Charmaine Crooks was named interim president, becoming the first woman and person of colour appointed to the role.
The final details of the interim funding agreement are currently being finalised by legal counsel, according to Canada Soccer. Despite this progress, there is still work to do to ensure both national programs have the necessary resources and support to compete, says Earl Cochrane, Canada Soccer General Secretary.
»Canada Soccer reaches funding agreement with the women’s national team players for 2022«
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