Canada, Spain, Nigeria… Like the Les Bleues, these teams have come into conflict with their federation on the sidelines of the World Cup

An atmosphere that is anything but serene. At the start of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, several teams came into conflict with their federation. In France, Wendie Renard asked March to change a “system” that he could no longer forgive. The requests of players from all over the world, relating to both the management of bonuses and the infrastructure made available, have added up. From Spain to Jamaica via Nigeria, South Africa, England and Canada, workforce review of busy preparations.

Canada: economic crisis and failed strike

In early 2023, Canadian women opposed their federation because it announced the need to make significant budget cuts. “turned inside out” AND “very worried”Backed by their male counterparts, the Olympic champions threatened to go on strike in February, shortly before the SheBelievesCup friendly tournament.

Before stopping quickly their action, assuring in a press release that they had been threatened with legal action against them to force them back into the field. The situation has not been resolved, and at the end of June, the interim general secretary of the federation, Jason de Vos, revealed in an interview with TS extension that the proceeding was on the verge of failure. Despite the possibility of organizing four friendlies at the end of the year for its women’s team, Canada Soccer withdrew due to lack of resources.

Nigeria: between payment delays and interference

In Nigeria, it was the coach who directly criticized his management. On July 6, Randy Waldrum, head of the Super Falcons since 2020, revealed in an interview for the Sounding off on Soccer podcast that the federation has had many delays in paying salaries and bonuses, for him and for some players.

The coach also complained of interference in the choice of players selected for the World Cup. “They wanted me to choose a babysitter that I have never seen and who has never attended our gatherings”He explained. Rumors in the corridor even suggested a risk of boycott by the team for entry into the race against Canada. Rumors wiped out by Captain Onome Ebi in a video shared by the federation.

Spain: 15 players withdraw from selection

The revolt within the Spanish team broke out in the autumn of 2022, when 15 players decided to withdraw from the selection to demand changes in the material, training and management conditions of the national team. In their press release, the players denounced “A shocking situation [leur] personal, emotional, [leur] performance, and therefore the results of the selection.”

The Spanish federation had responded to the players, qualifying their behavior as anything but “copy” AND “outside the values ​​of football and sport”. The authority had ensured that it would only reinstate the players if they did “acknowledged their mistake” AND “ask for forgiveness”.

To compete in the World Cup in New Zealand, 12 of the 15 affected have not been recalled by controversial coach Jorge Vilda. Among them are headliners Mapi Leon and Patri Guijarro, recent Champions League winners with Barcelona.

England: Lionesses claim bonuses

“With our first match on the horizon, we have decided to suspend discussions, with the firm intention of revisiting them after the tournament. We feel a collective responsibility to move the game forward.” It is through this press release, published via their captain Millie Bright’s Instagram account on Tuesday, that the English suspended talks with the English FA to try to get the performance bonuses they claim.

Concretely, the FA, accustomed to paying players a sum based on the round reached in every major competition, felt that it was no longer necessary to do so as FIFA is awarding bonuses this year. This does not happen with the Lionesses, who will then return to office to receive this money separate from that of FIFA.

Jamaica: “extreme disorganization” denounced.

A month before the start of the World Cup, Jamaicans shared an open letter on their social networks to express their “big disappointment” against their federation. Rebuke support “below standard”players have revealed that they are experiencing delays in contractually guaranteed payments, lack of access to “correct resources” and criticized the cancellation of friendlies due to a “extreme disorganization”. According to them, “immediate and systematic changes” are needed. The situation is such that crowdfunding campaigns have been launched by the mother of one of the players and by the Reggae Girlz foundation to cover the costs of the team’s base camp in Australia.

South Africa: Warm-up match missed amid bonus tensions

The African champions have also seen their preparation shaken by a conflict over the payment of bonuses. The South Africans boycotted their last friendly, in early July, against Botswana after being awarded contracts which they said did not include the $30,000 individual prize money promised by FIFA.

The federation thus summoned a Serie B team in extremis with members of the lower divisions, including a 13-year-old player. National team coach Desiree Ellis later admitted to Reuters that there were tensions, asking “go ahead”. On July 5, the federation announced the resolution of the conflict, after the intervention of the minister of sport, arts and culture, Zizi Kodwa, and of a foundation that agreed to make a donation and cover the costs.