Bev Priestman Optimistic Deal Can Be Done Before Women’s World Cup
By Bev Priestman is optimistic that Canada Soccer and her players can come to an agreement on Women’s World Cup pay before getting on the plane next week.
“I know that both parties want that,” Priestman told The Canadian Press on Thursday.
Priestman is not part of the negotiation process with interim general Secretary Jason DeVos, but believes there is common ground between both parties.
“I just hope there is [a resolution] because I know how much of a distraction it is when it isn’t [done],” Priestman said. “When Jason came in [to the job], he said to me ‘My number one priority is to get this done, I want to work with you. I want to work with the players to get that done.’
“So I don’t know the finer details of where exactly we’re at. But what I will say… I’m hoping that’s going to be done.”
Their captain and leader Christine Sinclair told the Canadian Press that the players want it resolved before getting on the plane to Australia.
Time is not on their side as the team is scheduled to begin camp on the Gold Coast starting on June 28th.
“We’re not at a point where we’re not getting on a plane, but time’s coming where we want it done so as players we’re not having to deal with it while we’re trying to prepare,” said Sinclair.
Both the men’s and women’s teams have been in labour negotiations for over a year.
Sinclair said the players wanting to be able to focus on the World Cup ‘have flat out told the CSA [Canada Soccer] that we need a deal in place for at least the World Cup and this year before we head down there.’
“So obviously, we’re getting close. I think it will happen. Will it be a long-term deal? No. But something will be done before the World Cup starts,” she added.
Jason DeVos made a comment on Wednesday saying he wants this resolved asap.
“Our conversations are ongoing and we share the desire to get this resolved as soon as possible,” DeVos said in a statement given Wednesday to The Canadian Press.
The women who formed the Canadian Soccer Players Association in 2016 are without a deal since the last deal expired in 2021. They already have an agreement on compensation for 2022.
They mentioned there are other issues that need to be resolved as well.
Canada will open on July 20th in Melbourne against Nigeria before heading to Perth to face Ireland on July 26th before heading back to Melbourne to face the hosts Australia on July 31st.