The Canadian men’s national team refused to play Sunday’s friendly against Panama amid a contract dispute with Canada Soccer.
Just hours before kickoff at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada Soccer announced that the game had been cancelled.
Canada had previously cancelled training sessions on Friday and Saturday ahead of the match amid discussions with the federation.
Prior to kickoff on Sunday, Canada released a statement explaining why the team was refusing to play the match.
Among the team’s demands was 40 percent of the team’s World Cup prize money, a better package for friends and family traveling to the 2022 World Cup, more leadership positions for players on Canada Soccer’s board, and an equal percentage of prize money going to the men’s and women’s team.
This is the "Dear Canada" letter released by Canada's national men's team players.
Asking for a review of Canada Soccer's broadcast & sponsorship contracts, 40% of World Cup qualification money, and a joint contract with the women's team with equal compensation for match fees. pic.twitter.com/STazGyJ9MW— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) June 5, 2022
“In March we initiated contract discussions with Canada Soccer,” the men’s national team said in a statement. “Due to executives delaying the process and taking vacations, the negotiation process was unnecessarily prolonged. Canada Soccer waited until the evening of July 2 to present an archaic offer and the general secretary and president of the association only made themselves available for the first time to connect with players on June 4 at 4 p.m. For these reasons, we have reluctantly decided not to play our match today against Panama.”
Canada is next scheduled to play two Nations League matches: against Curacao on Thursday and at Honduras on June 13.
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