Canadian women end strike over threat of legal action from Canada Soccer

Facing the threat of legal action from Canada Soccer, the Canadian women’s team has agreed to return to training and play in the SheBelieves Cup.

The women had boycotted training in Florida on Saturday, saying they would not take the field unless their grievances against the governing body were addressed.

They demanded the same backing in preparing for this summer’s World Cup that the men received last year before Qatar. And they wanted Canada Soccer to open its books. They also objected to budget cuts to their program in 2023.

After a lengthy meeting Saturday in Orlando, the women said Canada Soccer told them it considered their job action unlawful — and would take legal action against them if they did not agree to face the U.S. in the tournament opener next Thursday.

The women maintain that Canada Soccer’s cuts to the national team programs are unacceptable. And that the governing body needs to do more to support its programs and players.

But they say they cannot afford the financial risks that a Canada Soccer court case might carry, given they have not been paid for any of their national team work in 2022.

So they will end their strike and return to training Sunday.

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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2023.