'This isn't over,' women's national team says in announcing interim compensation deal with Canada Soccer
Team says agreement ensures equal pay within organization's financial constraints
Canada's women's soccer team says it reached an interim compensation deal with Canada Soccer.
In a statement released on social media on Friday, the team said the agreement will provide payment for 2023, including prize money allocation from the Women's World Cup, which is currently being contested in Australia and New Zealand.
Canada, the reigning Olympic champion, plays its final group-stage match against the Australians on Monday, when a win or draw will mean it qualifies for the knockout stage.
The Canadian women said the deal ensures equal pay to the men's team "within the constraints created by Canada Soccer's financial situation."
A statement from the players of the Canadian Women’s National team. <a href="https://t.co/iVuoJhncKg">pic.twitter.com/iVuoJhncKg</a>
—@PlayersCanadianStill, it added that it is "disappointed to find [itself] without a more complete agreement."
"We have been forced to choose between compensation and the funding required to hold necessary training camps. We have been forced to choose between receiving a fair share of the rewards from our teams' successes at the World Cups and our commitment to equal pay and equal treatment.
"These are choices we should not have had to make."
Canada Soccer confirmed in a message to CBC Sports that the deal was done.
"This is another important step forward for equalizing the standard of care and pay equity for our players. We have been working collaboratively to find sustainable resolutions, and while there is more work to do, this deal ensures equal pay between both of our two national teams," a spokesperson said.
WATCH | Women's soccer team reaches interim pay deal but say the fight isn't over:
Canada Soccer and its men's and women's teams have been embroiled in a labour dispute for more than a year.
The women have been without a labour deal since the last one expired at the end of 2021. Captain Christine Sinclair said she expected a deal ahead of its first World Cup match, but that never materialized.
On Monday, the men's team released a statement saying the organization was "attempting to capitalize on the pressure of the Women's World Cup" to force an "inadequate" compensation deal, while adding it had not yet been paid out from its own World Cup in December.
The financial issues are the result of Canada Soccer's controversial broadcast agreement with Canadian Soccer Business (CSB).
The Canadian men's team earned $9 million US from FIFA as one of the teams exiting after the group stage in Qatar. FIFA says, under its new compensation package at the women's tournament, member associations will receive from $1.56 million for a team exiting after the group stage to $4.29 million for the champion.
Each of the 732 players in the women's tournament will receive at least $30,000, with the opportunity to earn more based on how far their teams advance. For example, players reaching the quarterfinals will be paid $90,000, semifinalists $165,000 and the champions $270,000.
The women's team thanked its supporters, including the men's team, in announcing its deal.
"This isn't over ... but for now, our team just wants to focus on soccer."
In a subsequent social media post, the women said they would make no further comment on the issue until the end of the tournament.
"All focus is on the team's performance at this time."
WATCH | Soccer North previews Canada's match against Australia:
With files from The Canadian Press
