The ongoing dispute between members of the women’s national team and Canada Soccer may be nearing an end as the two sides reached a tentative agreement on a financing deal on Thursday.
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This was announced by the athletes and the football association in a joint statement. They have agreed on an interim financing agreement that will see payment of an amount tied to the team’s success in 2022.
The terms of the agreement “reflect those of a similar agreement with the men’s national team, which includes per-game bonuses and results-based compensation,” the statement said.
However, the final details of the agreement are still being reviewed by the legal representatives of the two groups. Then they have to negotiate a new comprehensive collective agreement.
“It’s about respect, dignity and leveling the playing field in a world that is fundamentally unequal,” said Football Canada’s General Secretary Earl Cochrane.
“We have consistently and publicly emphasized the need for fairness and equal pay as pillars of any new contract with our players and we are achieving that goal today. While this is an important step forward and a sign of progress, there is still work to be done to ensure our country programs have the resources and support needed to prepare and compete on the ground.”
Recall that the women’s team has criticized Canada Soccer for letting them down financially a few months before the next 2023 World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand in July.