Canada-Panama World Cup friendly at BC Place cancelled – The Province

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Several dozen despondent fans milled about B.C. Place on Sunday afternoon, some not realizing the World Cup warmup game between Canada and Panama had been cancelled until they found the entrance gates were closed.

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The game was cancelled after Canadian players refused to participate in the friendly match. Canada Soccer confirmed the cancellation shortly after 2 p.m. The match was to begin at 4 p.m.

There was no security on hand or anyone to tell fans that the game was off.

Thirteen-year-old Aiden Ayre was scheduled to be a ball boy at match. He rated his disappointment a nine out of ten.

Planning for the friendly at B.C. Place has been rocky from the start. Team Canada was originally slated to play Iran, but the opponent was dropped after criticism over Iran’s downing of a civilian aircraft two years ago that killed 85 Canadians and permanent residents.

The last-minute cancellation of Sunday’s game – in which Panama had stepped up to replace Iran – was over Canadian players demands for more of a cut of World Cup rewards.

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TSN’s Rick Westhead had reported earlier that the national soccer organization was offering about 10 per cent of revenues to the players, who are asking for pay in the range of 40 per cent.

The players apologized to both the Panamanian team and Canadians for the decision in an open letter on Sunday. They said they had been trying to negotiate a playing contract with Canada Soccer since March to no avail.

“We want to work together with our organization, but the relationship has been strained for years,” said the players in the letter. “And now, Canada Soccer has disrespected our team and jeopardized our efforts to raise the standards and effectively advance the game in Canada.

“We hoped that qualifying this team would bring a level of respect and financial opportunity that could raise the standards and opportunities for the next generation of players in our country and change the trajectory of soccer in Canada forever.”

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Brooks Raymond drove to game with his young son from Abbotsford.

“It sucks whatever they are going through,” Raymond said.

“I understand you have to fight for what you feel you deserve but you don’t do it two hours before.”

Mahde Darehshiri and his two friends were sitting on the stairs at B.C. Place wondering what to do with the evening.

“They are going to the World Cup they need to play as many games as they can,” Darehshiri said. “That’s what they should be focused on not how much money they can make off this stupid friendly.

“I heard the players were on strike because they weren’t getting paid enough. It’s a national team, half of them are already millionaires, that aside, they have a game in two days. Panama is already here.

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“Practice, play your game and then go on strike. And respect the fans too, and Panama.”

George Hernandez drove to Vancouver from Surrey with his daughter and two friends to watch the game, paying $35 per ticket.

He only realized it had been cancelled when he saw the entrance gates were closed.

“They should play because they love the game,” he said.

On Sunday evening Canada Soccer president Dr. Nick Bontis said he was very disappointed in the men’s national team decision not to play.

“We would like to, firstly, apologize to all of our Canada soccer fans and reaffirm our gratitude to you and your continued support, and I’m sorry this game did not occur today,” Bontis said.

He said Canada Soccer had been working with the players to find a fair and equitable agreement.

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The players disagree, and just prior to the game being cancelled, put out a letter to Canadian soccer fans outlining their position, which emphasized a desire for transparency and a review of the agreement with Canada Soccer Business.

The men’s team is looking for 40 per cent of the prize money and a comprehensive friends and family package for Qatar.

“We are ready to take a proposal from one side (players) and a proposal that we believe is fair; that is equitable with the women, that is at 30 per cent to the men in sharing World Cup prize money that we have benchmarked against nations around the world, that we believe is fair,” Bontis said.

“I’m a fan of the players and what they’ve achieved for this country; we transcended sport in this country. I’m a fan of what the women did, and how they transcended sport in this country.

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Canada made it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup by finishing first in the final Concacaf qualifying group ahead of Mexico and the United States. It’s the first time Canada has qualified for men’s World Cup since its only previous appearance in Mexico in 1986, where they lost all three games and failed to score a goal.

The cancellation of the game against Panama is the latest saga for the men’s national team in the lead-up to the World Cup, taking place Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 in Qatar. Canada was drawn into Group F at the 32-team tournament with Belgium, Croatia and Morocco.

Watch Soccer Canada’s press conference, held Sunday afternoon, here:

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And here is the full open letter from players:

— With files from Patrick Johnston and Derek Van Diest, Postmedia News

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