The conflict had been simmering for several years. The proximity of the World Cup in Qatar has reignited tensions. Sunday, June 5, the footballers of the Canadian national team refused, a few hours before kick-off, to play when they were to face Panama, in a friendly match in Vancouver. The strike is based on a deep disagreement among the players over the salary conditions offered by their federation.
What happened ?
Two hours before the start of the friendly match against Panama on Sunday, the Canadian federation issued a terse press release announcing the cancellation of the meeting. After shunning two training sessions, Friday June 3 and Saturday June 4, the players refused to appear on the lawn on Sunday to protest against their new employment contract, which was submitted to them on Thursday June 2.
The friendly match, scheduled in Vancouver, was part of the Canucks’ preparation for the World Cup in Qatar. The match promised to be festive since the team had to find its public at home for the first time since its qualification for the World Cup.
The international match against Panama scheduled for June 5, 2022 is canceled. Additional details will be provided to all ticket purchasers. pic.twitter.com/KKmVJ9zGSh
— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerFR) June 5, 2022
The strike is all the more difficult since the previous preparation match, against Iran, had already been canceled on May 26. The federation had to back down in the face of the outcry led by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The latter had qualified the meeting of “bad idea” to the families of the 85 Canadian citizens and residents who died when Iranian armed forces shot down Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 on January 8, 2020.
What are players asking for?
Through the strike movement, the men’s national team expresses its rejection of the terms of its new employment contract. In a letter, shared on social networks, the players list their reasons for dissatisfaction and their expectations. Stating that it has been in negotiations with Canada Soccer since March, the team says it regrets that the federation has presented a “archaic offer”just days before the game against Panama.
“The secretary general and the president of the federation only made themselves available for the first time to contact the players on June 4 at 4 p.m. explained the players. For these reasons, we have reluctantly decided not to play today’s game against Panama. It’s time we took a stand for the future of football in Canada.”
The players deserve better.
John Herdman deserves better.
The fans deserve better.If we’re going to be an elite football nation we need to act like it. #CANMNT pic.twitter.com/SWnHn1egdT
— Donnovan Bennett (@donnovanbennett) June 5, 2022
In particular, Canadian footballers have asked for “fair terms with our women’s national team”, in terms of match-related revenue, earnings percentage at FIFA World Cups and the development of a national women’s league. They demand to receive 40% of the bonuses linked to the World Cup and the payment of transport to Qatar for their relatives during the competition.
In addition, they are calling for a review of their match broadcast and partnership contracts and for an increased presence of former members of the men’s, women’s and Paralympic teams in Canadian football bodies. More generally, while the country is going to participate in the second World Cup in its history, the players expect their leaders to capitalize on the event to generate additional income.
How did the Canadian Football Federation respond?
In reaction to the cancellation of training, Canada Soccer reacted with a press release on Saturday indicating that the federation was “currently in discussion with national team players regarding fair and equitable financial compensation ahead of the Fifa World Cup”. On Monday, its president Nick Bontis was firm: “Canada Soccer has worked in good faith with the players to find a solution that is fair to everyone. We believe we have presented a fair offer to the players.”
Stating that their proposal had been established based on that of other nations, Nick Bontis felt that the players’ request was not financially “sustainable”. The president also criticized the request for equal treatment, assuring that Canada Soccer had precisely offered the same contract terms to the players of the national team.
The Canucks are hoping the dispute will be resolved by their Concacaf Nations League game against Curaçao on Thursday, June 9 in Vancouver (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Football).