Canada Soccer accused of unnecessarily prolonging contract talks
Yesterday's World Cup warm up match between Canada and Panama was cancelled after Team Canada players refused to take to the field over a contract dispute.
Canada Soccer was forced to cancel the game less than two hours before kickoff even as fans began filing in to B.C. Place to watch the game.
In a statement, the players accuse soccer's governing body of "unnecessarily prolonging contract talks.
The players want changes in the organization's leadership, compensation for World Cup play including 40 percent of prize money and a friends and family package for the World Cup in Qatar this year.
They are also asking for an equitable compensation structure for the men's and women's teams, and the development of a women's domestic league.
But in a follow up statement, the women's team says they will not accept any deal that does not offer equal pay.
Canada has not played in a World Cup since 1986.
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