Bontis steps down as Canadian soccer president in the name of peace
February 28 - Just months after the country's first World Cup appearance in 36 years and with plans already underway to co-host the tournament in 2026, the reputation of Canadian football has taken a hit off the pitch with the resignation of Canadian Soccer Association President Nick Bontis (pictured).
Buffed by the threat of a strike by the country's women's national team over a lack of equal pay and what the team saw as unsatisfactory preparation plans for the 2023 Women's World Cup, Bontis resigned recognizing that a change is needed to achieve peace with both the men's and women's teams.
Earlier this month, Canada's men's players called for Canada Soccer's management to be removed if they were "unwilling to take immediate action to address player demands and concerns", while that the women added that “if Canada Soccer is not willing or able to support our team, new leadership needs to be found.”
"I recognize that this moment requires change," Bontis said in a statement. "While I have been one of the biggest supporters of equalizing the competitive performance environment for our National Women's Team, unfortunately I will not be leading this organization when that happens."
“Canada Soccer and our two national team programs have the real potential to sign a historic collective agreement. Once signed, it will be a landmark agreement that will set our nation apart from virtually every other FIFA member association. »
While Bontis was forced to resign domestically, his status within Concacaf almost simultaneously improved. Last weekend, he was elected vice-president of the CONCACAF Council for North America - a four-year term that will end with the men's World Cup in 2026 in Canada, the United States and the United States. Mexico.
Bontis was named president of Canada Soccer in November 2020, succeeding Steven Reed who in turn had succeeded Victor Montagliani, who was re-elected president of CONCACAF on Saturday in a role that makes him a vice-president of FIFA until 2027.
The dispute within Canadian football has overshadowed the country's selection as joint host of the 2026 World Cup, a huge step in the development of the sport. Canada's men refused to play a scheduled exhibition against Panama last June in Vancouver while the women played the SheBelieves Cup only this month after Canada Soccer threatened legal action.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1677611048labto1677611048ofdlr1677611048owedi1677611048sni@w1677611048ahsra1677611048w.wer1677611048dna1677611048
February 28 - Just months after the country's first World Cup appearance in 36 years and with plans already underway to co-host the tournament in 2026, the reputation of Canadian football has taken a hit off the pitch with the resignation of Canadian Soccer Association President Nick Bontis (pictured).
Buffed by the threat of a strike by the country's women's national team over a lack of equal pay and what the team saw as unsatisfactory preparation plans for the 2023 Women's World Cup, Bontis resigned recognizing that a change is needed to achieve peace with both the men's and women's teams.
Earlier this month, Canada's men's players called for Canada Soccer's management to be removed if they were "unwilling to take immediate action to address player demands and concerns", while that the women added that “if Canada Soccer is not willing or able to support our team, new leadership needs to be found.”
"I recognize that this moment requires change," Bontis said in a statement. "While I have been one of the biggest supporters of equalizing the competitive performance environment for our National Women's Team, unfortunately I will not be leading this organization when that happens."
“Canada Soccer and our two national team programs have the real potential to sign a historic collective agreement. Once signed, it will be a landmark agreement that will set our nation apart from virtually every other FIFA member association. »
While Bontis was forced to resign domestically, his status within Concacaf almost simultaneously improved. Last weekend, he was elected vice-president of the CONCACAF Council for North America - a four-year term that will end with the men's World Cup in 2026 in Canada, the United States and the United States. Mexico.
Bontis was named president of Canada Soccer in November 2020, succeeding Steven Reed who in turn had succeeded Victor Montagliani, who was re-elected president of CONCACAF on Saturday in a role that makes him a vice-president of FIFA until 2027.
The dispute within Canadian football has overshadowed the country's selection as joint host of the 2026 World Cup, a huge step in the development of the sport. Canada's men refused to play a scheduled exhibition against Panama last June in Vancouver while the women played the SheBelieves Cup only this month after Canada Soccer threatened legal action.
Contact the author of this story at moc.l1677611048labto1677611048ofdlr1677611048owedi1677611048sni@w1677611048ahsra1677611048w.wer1677611048dna1677611048
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