Canada women's team to go on strike over pay equity issues and budget cuts

The players of

will go on strike to protest against the lack of support from governing body Canada Soccer.

Canada captain Christine Sinclair also has said they won't represent Canada Soccer until their demands are met.

The statement read:

"We have been patiently negotiating with Canada Soccer for more than a year. Now that our World Cup is approaching, the women's national team players are being told to prepare to perform at a world-class level without the same level of support received by the men's national team.

"We are left feeling frustrated and, once again, deeply disrespected by Canada Soccer.

"We are tired – tired of constantly having to fight for fair and equal treatment, and for a program which will give us a chance to achieve what we know this team is capable of achieving.

"If Canada Soccer is not willing or able to support our team, new leadership should be found. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to create public awareness of this crisis.”

Canada's men's team also issued a statement of support for the women.

"The Canadian Men's National Soccer Team players are, once again, deeply disappointed by the actions of Canada Soccer, and wholeheartedly support the Women's National Team players' statement made this afternoon about completely unsatisfactory preparation conditions for this summer's World Cup,''

that letter said.

Canada will face the United States in the next week's SheBelieves Cup. They are sixth in FIFA's women's world rankings. Canada is in Group B of the 2023 World Cup alongside hosts Australia, the Republic of Ireland, and Nigeria.

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