Less than six weeks before Canada enters CONCACAF qualifying for the 2007 Women’s World Cup, a dispute has surfaced pitting three veteran stars, all residing in the United States, against Canada coach Even Pellerud, the Canadian Soccer Association and millionaire Greg Kerfoot, owner of the W-League champion Vancouver Whitecaps and financial backer of Canada’s full-time training camp for women.
Captain Charmaine Hooper, Sharolta Nonen and Christine Latham were suspended for not playing in two friendly games against China in August. Hooper and Latham didn’t commit to the full-time residency program in Vancouver for which 20 players are paid $20,000 each. Nonen committed to the program but later backed out in support of her two teammates.
”It was strongly suggested you move to Vancouver,” Hooper, who plays for the W-League’s New Jersey Wildcats, told the Canadian Press.
Nonen and Latham play for Atlanta Silverbacks. The CSA denies the players’ assertion that they should play for the Whitecaps as part of their commitment to the Canada training camp. In addition to the money players get from Kerfoot, they are paid by Sport Canada as “carded athletes.”
Calgary lawyer Alan J. Ross, who represents the three players, said he might initiate a lawsuit if the players’ demands aren’t met.
In the meantime, Hooper said she would not play for Pellerud.
”Not for him,” she told the Canadian Press. ”If he is still there for the next three years, then probably not.”