Toronto (Canada), relieved of February 23 (EFE).

Just hours before the game, members of the Canadian team, who were on strike, were forced by their federation to resume training and play in the tournament, which also featured the United States, Brazil and Japan.

The players had gone on strike to demand that the Canadian federation (Canada Soccer) devote the same resources to the Women’s World Cup, which will be held this summer in Australia and New Zealand, as those allocated to the men’s team at the Qatar World Cup. Cup.

Additionally, the team wants greater transparency from Canada Soccer and for the federation to explain the cuts it has imposed on national teams this year despite the sport’s growing success and popularity in the country.

Contrary to what little relevance the men’s soccer team had until recently, the women’s team is one of the world powerhouses, sixth in the FIFA World Rankings and gold medalists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

LACK OF FEDERAL SUPPORT

Players have complained for years that the Canadian federation does not provide them with the same level of support as their peers, both in terms of resources and funding despite their greater sporting success.

With the approach of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the players multiplied the protests but the Canadian federation decided to break the team with a strong hand.

“They told us that if we didn’t go back to work and commit to playing the game against the United States today, not only would they take legal action to force us back on the pitch, but they would consider actions to recover from the players’ association, and from each of the players on the field, millions of dollars in losses,” the athletes revealed in a statement.

Despite the intense pressure, some feared that the Canadian players would decide at the last moment not to take to the field to protest the bitter labor dispute.

The players finally participated in the competition but clarified their feelings.

PURPLE REBELLION

Training was done with their shirts reversed and before the match against the USA, all the players appeared on the field of play wearing purple shirts (the color that represents gender equality) with the inscription “Enough is Enough “. (“Stop”).

Moments before the start of the game, players from both teams formed a heart in the center of the field in solidarity with the Canadians.

Team captain Christine Sinclair, the greatest player in Canadian soccer history (male and female) was defiant on Twitter.

“To be clear. In the short term, we are forced to work. This is not over. We will continue to fight for everything we deserve and we will win,” Sinclair said.

Another top Canadian player, Jessie Fleming, took to Instagram to publicize the team’s stance and explain that it’s not just about the money.

Fleming has accused Canada Soccer of financial mismanagement and gender pay discrimination.

“We are not asking for money that does not exist in our organization. We ask for equal performance opportunity first and then the organizational changes needed to ensure financial sustainability,” Fleming said.

Although the federation has defeated the players, victory can be costly and short-lived.

Currently, the Canadian team receives support from players, teams and athletes from around the world. For example, the newly European champion England women’s football team started wearing purple armbands in solidarity with the Canadians.

Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse, gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 in the 200 meters, also expressed his support against the federation.

And now the House of Commons of the Canadian Parliament wants the directors of Canada Soccer to come to the institution in March and explain why they have come to the current dispute with the players.

Julius Caesar Rivas