VANCOUVER – Canada’s men’s soccer team is back in training, but players say there’s still work to be done to secure a new deal with soccer’s national governing body.
A friendly match against Panama was canceled on Sunday after the Canadian athletes refused to play, citing “unnecessarily protracted” negotiations over a new contract. Friday and Saturday practices were also canceled due to the contract dispute.
The players met with senior officials from Canada Soccer on Sunday evening, and the team resumed training at the Vancouver Whitecaps facilities on Monday. The squad also train on Tuesday before kicking off the CONCACAF Nations League game against Curacao in Vancouver on Thursday.
“(We) will continue the negotiation process, but the questions remain unanswered and action still needs to be taken,” the players said in a statement.
“We are moving forward in the hope that Canada Soccer will work with us to resolve the situation. »
Compensation seems to be a sticking point in the negotiations.
In a statement on Sunday, the players said they were seeking World Cup compensation comprising 40% of the purse and a “full package for friends and family” ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Canada, ranked 38th in the world, secured a place in the tournament in March. It is the first time the country will play a World Cup since 1986.
FIFA announced on April 1 that the total prize pool for the World Cup would be $440m, including $42m for the winners. Teams eliminated in the group stage will get $9 million.
Canada Soccer President Nick Bontis told reporters on Sunday that the organization is offering players 30 per cent of World Cup earnings.
He said the players’ proposal was not financially viable.
“I cannot accept an offer that would put our organization in an untenable financial position,” said Bontis.
The players are also asking for fair remuneration between the men’s and women’s teams, as well as the development of a national women’s league, in particular.
Last month, the United States Soccer Federation signed collective agreements that provide equal pay for its men’s and women’s national teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantio has offered to double the purse to $60 million for the Women’s World Cup next year. The number of countries in the running will increase from 24 to 32.
