The Canada women’s national team opens the all-important SheBelieves Cup tournament against the United States in Florida on Thursday, but it’s not just about football.
• Also read: Canada Soccer: Wage disputes undermine program success
• Also read: Canadian players forced to return to training?
Recall that the national team players went on strike last weekend demanding equal treatment with their male counterparts. They also denounced major cuts to the team’s budget.
A meeting with Canada Soccer on Saturday prompted the players to return to work under threat of legal action, with the federation deeming the strike illegal. The players have been out of contract since the end of the 2021 season.
Head coach Bev Priestman didn’t beat around the bush during her usual pre-game press conference. She addressed the issue head on Wednesday midday and spoke from the bottom of her heart during this video conference.
A challenge
“It’s a challenge as a coach and for all staff, but I’m very proud of my players. As a woman, I also believe in fairness and that’s important.
“They fight for what they believe in and they’re not just doing it for themselves, they’re doing it with an eye on the young girls who will follow in their footsteps. »
Priestman hopes the situation will quickly return to normal so we can focus on football with six months to go before the World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
“I still want the situation to be resolved as soon as possible and I think the CSA wants that too.
“It has to be our most important year and it starts like this. We missed three training sessions and the girls are mentally drained. »
Difficult conversation
As Bev Priestman mentioned, the situation has had a major impact on his players, especially the more experienced ones.
Above all, Sophie Schmidt announced that she would withdraw from international competition after the World Cup. But without talking to her coach, that farewell would have been quicker since her player came over to tell her it was over and she wanted to go home.
“My conversation with Sophie Schmidt was heartbreaking for me,” Priestman said. She’s an amazing character and she’s so important to this team. I’m glad she delayed her decision. »
Otherwise, she expects all of her players to be available for this tournament, which brings together Japan and Brazil alongside Canada and the United States.
“Everyone is available for this game and the squad is focused despite the circumstances and everyone’s emotional state. »
difficult moments
Bev Priestman recognizes that leading her team is not easy under these circumstances.
She therefore sought advice from her male counterpart John Herdman, who went through the same situation with his team when they refused to play a game against Panama last summer to protest the money redistribution. The players are also without a contract and have just formed a union.
“John went through the same situation last year so I got in touch with him to discuss how to navigate these events. »
As for the budget cuts her players are referring to, Priestman has been cautious.
“I’m in a difficult position because I represent the players but also Canada Soccer. This is an issue that is well documented and these are difficult times. »