The Canadian women’s national soccer team demands more investment from the federation, for example, in the World Cup that will be played in the summer.
Reigning Olympic gold medalists Canada’s preparations for the Women’s Soccer World Cup to be played this summer have gotten off to a stormy start.
The reason is the inflamed gaps between the national teams and the country’s football association.
The women’s national team announced on Friday that they will go on strike, as the team is dissatisfied with the union’s actions. According to the team, it was forced to prepare for the upcoming World Cup with a smaller number of both players and background personnel and with fewer camp days.
According to the women’s national team, the federation treated the teams unfairly and the men received significantly more money. Both teams’ budgets were also significantly cut for 2023.
– It’s about two big things. First of all, about the unfortunate management: financial affairs have been poorly managed, there is no transparency and the national teams benefit from the investments made in the sport, the Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming comment on Instagram. (you switch to another service)
– We are not demanding money that our organization does not have. We demand the same performance opportunities and such necessary changes in the organization that the economy is on a sustainable basis and maximally supports both the adult national team and the development of the youth.
Soccer in Canada has grown in popularity recently, with the men’s national team qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 36 years, and the women’s national team winning Olympic gold in Tokyo after beating Sweden in a penalty shootout in the final.
Neither national team has a valid contract with the Canadian Soccer Association.
The union blocked the strike plans
The Canadian women’s national team, preparing for the tough She Believes Cup invitational tournament on Saturday, refused to practice.
However, that same evening, the team released a statement saying that the union is forcing them to practice and play. According to the players, the union accused the strike of being illegal. According to the Canadian team, the union threatened both individual players and the team with legal action.
– This does not stop there. We will keep fighting to get everything we deserve and we will win, Canadian legend Christine Sinclair rumbled.
Canada will face the reigning world champion USA in the opening match early Friday Finnish time.
The men’s national team players have also been dissatisfied with the union’s actions. According to The Athletic, the players have not chatted (you will be redirected to another service) still on strike, but describe the treatment as unacceptable.