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Canada's men's soccer team strikes over compensation dispute

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Players for the Canadian men's soccer team refused to take the pitch for Sunday's World Cup warmup match against Panama in Vancouver because of a dispute over the distribution of prize money, the team announced in an open letter obtained by TSN's Rick Westhead.

The 33 players who comprise the national team also boycotted training Friday and Saturday, according to The Canadian Press.

Sunday's match at BC Place was called off less than two hours before kickoff.

Players are at odds with Canada Soccer over the reported $10 million the federation is expected to receive from FIFA for reaching the men's World Cup for the first time in 36 years, demanding a 40% share in compensation. They also called for a transparent review of Canada Soccer's broadcast and commercial dealings, a "comprehensive" package of accommodations for friends and family traveling to Qatar, a structure that pays both men's and women's players equally per World Cup match, and the development of a women's soccer league.

A spokesperson for Canada Soccer told TSN on Saturday that the players demanded 75%-100% of the prize money. The federation claims it offered to split 60% evenly between the men's and women's teams.

Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis said during a press conference Sunday that the federation is working with the players "in good faith to find a path forward that is fair and equitable for all."

"If we as an association only had the men's team and the women's team to take care of and nothing else ... we could still not afford this proposal," Bontis added. "It is untenable as written."

The players said they initiated talks with Canada Soccer in March but only received what they called an "archaic offer" from the federation Thursday. The federation's general secretary and president made themselves available for discussion for the first time Saturday, the players added.

They also allege that a 10-year agreement Canada Soccer signed with independent company Canadian Soccer Business has "handcuffed" the team's ability to generate more revenue. CSB handles "all corporate partnerships and broadcast rights" for the men's and women's teams, according to a statement it released upon signing the deal in March 2018.

"Why (has) Canada Soccer given up autonomy of the greatest opportunity to grow our program in years?" the players wrote in the letter. "We want to work together with our organization, but the relationship has been strained for years. And now, Canada Soccer has disrespected our team and jeopardized our efforts to raise the standards and effectively advance the game in Canada."

The players said they hope Canada Soccer resolves these issues before their Nations League match against Curacao on June 9. It's unclear if the team will refuse to play that game if terms aren't met.

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