Soccer Canada has named former Olympian Charmaine Crooks as interim president as the organization, which is in turmoil, tries to find common ground over the employment contract with its men’s national teams and feminine.
Crooks, who until now acted as vice-president at Soccer Canada, succeeds Nick Bontis, who resigned on Monday. This decision was taken following the publication of an open letter in which the leaders of the provincial and territorial soccer organizations called for the departure of Bontis because of the labor dispute with his national teams.
The men’s national team, which participated in the World Cup in Qatar, refused to play a friendly match against Panama last June in Vancouver. The women’s national team, meanwhile, agreed to take part in the SheBelieves Cup only last month after Soccer Canada threatened them with legal retaliation.
The national teams have asked Soccer Canada to open its books in order to analyze its agreement with Canadian Soccer Business, an organization that is responsible for entering into sponsorship agreements and selling television rights.
Crooks has participated in the Olympics five times, and won the silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Los Angeles Games in 1984. She was also named a Member of the Order of Canada in 2012.
In addition, Soccer Canada has also named Kelly Brown as vice-president of the organization. Brown served as Senior Vice President of Human, Legal and Corporate Affairs at Arterra Wines Canada.
Crooks and Brown are two of six women who make up Soccer Canada’s Board of Directors. It is made up of 14 people.
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