The women’s national team of Canada has announced that they have reached a temporary agreement with Canada Soccer to receive payment for the year 2023.
This comes as the governing body is facing financial limitations. In contrast, the men’s team of Canada stated earlier this week that they have not been paid for their participation in the 2022 World Cup.
They also claimed that the governing body is using the pressure surrounding the women’s tournament to push them into accepting an unsatisfactory deal.
“We have been forced to choose between compensation and the funding required to hold necessary training camps,” women’s national team players said in a statement posted on the social media of the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA).
“We have been forced to choose between receiving a fair share of the rewards from our teams’ successes at the World Cups and our commitment to equal pay and equal treatment with our Men’s National Team.”
“These are choices we should not have had to make.”
The athletes expressed that the new agreement incorporates the distribution of prize money from the current Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. However, they expressed their dissatisfaction with not having achieved a more comprehensive agreement.
“We are deeply disappointed to find ourselves without a more complete agreement at this crucial stage in our calendar,” they said.
“While there are many important items remaining for future negotiation… we have worked… to make sure this… agreement ensures, at minimum, equal pay with our Men’s National Team, within the constraints created by Canada Soccer’s financial situation.”
“This isn’t over. We and the Men’s National Team remain committed to finding a long-term solution that provides for fair and equal treatment for our current National Teams and investments in the future of Canadian soccer.”
“But for now, our team just wants to focus on soccer.”
Canada is currently in second place in Group B of the Women’s World Cup after a scoreless draw against Nigeria and a 2-1 victory over Ireland. In their final group stage match on Monday, they will be facing Australia, who are in third place, as they aim to advance to the knockout stage.
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