Canadian football president Nick Bontis announced his resignation on Monday after calls from the country’s 13 provincial and territorial organizations.
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TSN network journalist Rick Westhead reported earlier in the day that members had lost confidence in the leadership of the 2020 incumbent. They therefore sent a letter in the morning demanding Bontis’ departure.
His departure was confirmed in a press release in the afternoon. Canada Soccer has also confirmed that the proposal for a new collective agreement will be finalized shortly.
“Once this deal is finalized it will be a landmark deal that will set our country apart from virtually every other FIFA member association. Unfortunately, while I was one of the biggest advocates of leveling the playing field for our women’s national team, I will no longer be leading this organization when that happens. I recognize that the current context calls for a change,” said Dr. Nick Bontis.
Canada Soccer has been rocked in recent weeks by claims from women’s team athletes who feel they don’t get as much support as their male counterparts, despite their stellar track record. Players have said they will be “abandoned” by Canada Soccer ahead of the World Cup, which begins on July 20.
turbulent year
On the fringes of the SheBelieves Cup, athletes carried out numerous actions to assert their rights. The Canadian Women’s Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA) has expressed displeasure and received support from the Canadian Men’s National Soccer Team Players’ Association (CMNSTPA).
On the day of the coaches’ strike, February 11, Canada Soccer had promised “real change” and had begun talks about a new collective bargaining agreement.
The men also had problems with the organization last year. In June, the national team refused to play Panama in Vancouver and the game had to be cancelled. According to TSN, the starting point of the dispute was a still unresolved collective bargaining dispute over the separation of the $10 million bonus from participation in the World Cup in Qatar.
Bontis has held a seat on Canada Soccer’s board of directors since 2012. He was appointed Vice-President in May 2017 and became the Association’s 35th President in November 2020 during a virtual General Meeting.