Sunday when the menB次元官网网址檚 team refused to play because of a labor dispute with the nationB次元官网网址檚 governing body that includes a demand the womenB次元官网网址檚 national team get equal match fees.

Players, preparing for the nationB次元官网网址檚 first menB次元官网网址檚 World Cup appearance since 1986, refused to train Friday and Saturday.

Players said they want 40% of World Cup prize money, a friends and family travel package and and B次元官网网址渆quitable structure with our womenB次元官网网址檚 national team that shares the same player match fees, percentage of prize money earned at our respective FIFA World Cups and the development of a womenB次元官网网址檚 domestic league.B次元官网网址�

, including a pooling of World Cup prize money. The Canadian men said they want an equal percentage of prize money and equal match fees.

B次元官网网址淚n March we initiated contract discussions with Canada Soccer,B次元官网网址� the menB次元官网网址檚 national team said in a statement. B次元官网网址淒ue to executives delaying the process and taking vacations, the negotiation process was unnecessarily prolonged. Canada Soccer waited until the evening of July 2 to present an archaic offer and the general secretary and president of the association only made themselves available for the first time to connect with players on June 4 at 4 p.m. For these reasons, we have reluctantly decided not to play our match today against Panama.B次元官网网址�

Richard Scott, a spokesman for the Canada Soccer Association, did not respond to an email seeking comment. The governing body said in a statement on Saturday night: B次元官网网址淐anada Soccer are currently in discussions with their national team players pertaining to fair and equitable player compensation ahead of the FIFA World Cup period.B次元官网网址�

FIFA did not respond to a request for comment.

CanadaB次元官网网址檚 womenB次元官网网址檚 team is ranked sixth in the world and won the gold medal at last yearB次元官网网址檚 Olympics.

B次元官网网址淚 think the players what we ask for is fair,B次元官网网址� midfielder Jonthan Osorio, a regular not on the current roster due to an injury, told The Canadian Press. B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 want to be treated any more special than similar teams that we compare ourselves to. We just want to be respected and not taken advantage of and just given our fair share.B次元官网网址�

Osorio, 29, said flights and accommodations have improved since former womenB次元官网网址檚 coach John Herdman became menB次元官网网址檚 coach in January 2018.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 much different than it was before,B次元官网网址� Osorio said. B次元官网网址淪aying that, thereB次元官网网址檚 a lot that needs to happen from the federation. I think the players need to see more backing from the federation now and not only rely on John to get things done. I think those things will come with results.B次元官网网址�

Panama was a late replacement as SundayB次元官网网址檚 opponent, which originally was Iran. CanadaB次元官网网址檚 governing body dropped Iran following criticism by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Canada is scheduled to play Cura莽ao at Vancouver on Thursday and is at Honduras on June 13, both in the CONCACAF Nations League. No. 38 Canada opens the World Cup Group F in Qatar against second-ranked Belgium on Nov. 23, plays No. 16 Croatia four days later and No. 24 Morocco on Dec. 1.

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The Associated Press

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