OFFICIAL: Canadian Soccer Association president Nick Bontis resigns

2023-03-01 13:26

OFFICIAL: Canadian Soccer Association president Nick Bontis resigns


On Monday, Canadian Soccer Association president Nick Bontis resigned after failing to address the issue of equal pay for men's and women's football.


"Today, I have submitted my resignation to the Canadian Football Board, effective immediately," Bontis said in a statement. "I would like to thank the entire membership, our players, our sponsors and every Canadian fan who continues to support the growth of football in our country."


"The status quo needs to change"

Bontis later admitted that the Soccer Association needed to make changes to the status quo. "Canadian football and our men's and women's teams have real potential to sign a historic collective agreement. Once signed, it will be a landmark agreement that will set our country apart from virtually every other FIFA member association .”


"While I remain committed to providing an equal playing field for our women's national team, when it happens, unfortunately, I will no longer be leading the organization. I acknowledge that the status quo needs to change."


“As a volunteer with the organization, it has been one of the proudest moments of my life to witness the tremendous accomplishments we have achieved together. Our women's national team achieved success at the Olympics. Our Board of Directors is truly diverse, including our appointment of the first-ever female vice-president. We scored our first goal in Qatar 2022. We won the bid to host the 2026 World Cup in our country."


"I knew in my heart that there was more to do."


"I am and will always be a huge fan of Canadian football and our players. We are in the most exciting period in our national football history. I look forward to continuing to support our country, its players and our quest for greatness," said Bang Thies concluded.


Canadian women's soccer team calls for equal pay

For months, the Canadian women's soccer team has been fighting for equal pay for men and women. The players' struggles have intensified after they learned that the Canadian Soccer Association will further cut the budget related to World Cup preparations: Earlier this month, the Canadian women's football team announced that it would take strike action and boycott the SheBelieves Cup invitational tournament. give up.


The Canadian women's team's move has the support of the men's team. In June last year, the Canadian men's football team also launched a strike because they could not reach an agreement on the distribution of World Cup prize money.