The president of the Canadian soccer federation (Canada Soccer), Nick Bontis, resigned this Monday from his position as a result of the serious labor disputes that the organization maintains with the players of the men’s and women’s teams.
Bontis’s resignation came shortly after the presidents of the country’s 13 provincial and territorial federations demanded his resignation.
In a statement, Bontis said the Canadian federation is about to sign a “historic” collective agreement that will be “a milestone” and will be unmatched by any other FIFA country.
“While I have been one of the biggest advocates of leveling the competitive performance landscape for our women’s national team, unfortunately I will not be leading this organization when it occurs. This moment demands change,” she added.
The Canadian women’s soccer team, a gold medalist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, was forced by Canada Soccer to play the SheBelieves Cup two weeks ago, after its players went on strike in protest of their treatment by the federation.
The players want Canada Soccer to dedicate the same resources to the men’s team during the World Cup in Qatar in view of the Women’s World Cup to be held this summer in Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, the team wants the federation to explain the cuts it has imposed on national teams this year despite the growing success and popularity of the sport in the country.
In June last year, the federation had to cancel a friendly for the men’s soccer team because its players went on strike.
The players wanted 40% of the money obtained from Canada’s qualification for the Qatar 2022 World Cup and facilities for their families to travel to the World Cup.
Players from both teams petitioned Canadian Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge in early February to force out Bontis, who had been elected to the position in November 2020.