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All eyes are on the upcoming Women\u2019s World Cup, but not for the right reasons. Instead of focusing on predicting the possible winner of the cup, we are wondering which teams will actually play. With teams striking and players stepping away from their national teams, we must ask an important question. When will women\u2019s soccer players be treated well? Here\u2019s a look into the Canadian and French women\u2019s soccer players\u2019 fight against their federations.<\/p>\n
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The Canadian players started a boycott after realizing the financial inequality they were facing. The protests are not just about pay inequality, but they also address the recent funding cuts.<\/p>\n
One might have hoped for a positive response from the national federation, but that wasn\u2019t the case. As the Canadian Squad planned to protest in the latest SheBelieves Cup tournament, they found themselves playing \u201cunder protest.\u201d The Canada Soccer Association threatened the team with legal action if they didn\u2019t play in the cup.<\/p>\n
So yes, the team\u2019s involvement in the tournament was a forced one. This behavior has only added fuel to the fire, with many saying that what the federation did was shameful. Canada players wore purple shirts reading \u201cenough is enough\u201d during their pre-match warm-ups.<\/p>\n
Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n However, there is a positive side we can look at, which is the fact that soccer players will always stand with each other! The Matildas showed their support for Canada by wearing purple tape on their wrists at their last game against Jamaica. The support for Canada doesn\u2019t stop here, as England and Japan national teams also wore purple wristbands.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n As the Canadian team still calls for a change, one might happen soon. On February 26, Canada Soccer president Nick Bontis resigned from his position. \u201cI acknowledge that this moment requires change,\u201d read Bontis\u2019 statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n But is his resignation enough for a change to happen? We must remember that the entire federation is involved, and Bontis\u2019 exit is the start of a new system, but it was definitely not the only step needed.<\/p>\n On the morning of March 9, Canada Soccer provided the proposed new collective bargaining agreement<\/a> that would implement equal pay to the women\u2019s and men\u2019s national teams. Although it hasn\u2019t been signed quite yet, the General Secretary of Canada Soccer, Earl Cochrane, said in a statement that negotiation is in progress and the women\u2019s team deserves financial equality before the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the Canadian team isn\u2019t the only one fighting its federation. We also have the French team going against the French federation in a conflict that is still ongoing.<\/p>\n The tension between the French team and their federation began with France\u2019s captain Wendie Renard announcing that she was stepping away<\/a> from the national team. Even though Renard announced her decision on Friday, February 24, people are still talking about it.<\/p>\n This interest comes as no surprise since Renard is one of the best defenders to ever come in women\u2019s football. So it\u2019s safe to say that if the French Federation didn\u2019t make the changes required, then France would lose an amazing player and a great captain.<\/p>\n In her statement, Renard shared her feelings toward France and that she must preserve her mental health.<\/p>\n \u201cI defended the blue, white and red jersey 142 times with passion, respect, commitment and professionalism. I love France more than anything, I\u2019m not perfect, far from it, but I can no longer endorse the current system, far from the requirements required by the highest level. It is a sad but necessary day to preserve my sanity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt is with a heavy heart that I come by this message to inform you of my decision to take a step back with the French team. Unfortunately, I will not play at this World Cup in such conditions. My face can hide the pain, but my heart hurts. . . and I don\u2019t want to hurt anymore.\u201d With these words, Renard ended her statement, but this wasn\u2019t the last goodbye announcement for the French team.<\/p>\n Following Renard\u2019s decision, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Kadidiatou Diani and striker Marie Antoinette Katoto announced that they are also stepping away from the national team. This shows that what Renard went through and led to her decision is also felt by her teammates.<\/p>\n It became clear that the players aren\u2019t willing to play again as long as Corinne Diacre, the France coach, is still in charge.<\/p>\n Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/p>\n It seems that the fight between the French women\u2019s soccer players and the \u201ccurrent system\u201d they are against won\u2019t end soon. Even though the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), No\u00ebl Le Gra\u00ebt, resigned from his role, the turmoil inside the federation didn\u2019t stop.<\/p>\n We can guess that things will get heated in the upcoming days and weeks. Especially because Le Gra\u00ebt, who is facing allegations of sexual and moral harassment, supported Diacre.<\/p>\n On the other hand, Diacre\u2019s response<\/a> to the players\u2019 decision wasn\u2019t a kind one. \u201cI have been the subject of a smear campaign that is astonishing in its violence and dishonesty,\u201d Diacre said and described what is happening to be \u201ca personal settling of scores.\u201d<\/p>\n On March 9, the FFF discussed Diacre\u2019s role with the team, and they fired her. The Federation is currently searching for a replacement coach just less than five months from the World Cup.<\/p>\n It is disappointing that women\u2019s soccer is still suffering from such issues. Between calls for equal pay<\/a> and fair treatment, we wish for a day to come when players shouldn\u2019t have to ask for their fundamental rights.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Featured image via Getty Images<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n _<\/b><\/p>\n GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nFrance\u2019s Team Needs A New System<\/h2>\n
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