Crooks is the latest Canada Soccer manager to testify before the Heritage Committee as the federation is embroiled in an industrial dispute with internationals who question the organisation’s governance practices.

The question-and-answer session, which was supposed to last two hours, was cut short by Crooks being more than an hour late and the Chair dodging most of the questions.

The former Olympic athlete, who was elected president of Canada Soccer on May 6, had to answer a burning question from Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, who remembered The national teams are completely exhausted [pissed off] from you and your organization.

Canada Soccer’s president responded, believing that they deserves the opportunity to take Canada Soccer leadership and build on personal experience to improve and heal the organism.

Several MPs have pointed out that Crooks could not recall whether she was present at a previous meeting of the panel when former Canada Soccer President Nick Bontis inquired What Christine Sinclair [NDLR : capitaine de l’équipe nationale féminine] complains [bitching about] Once again?

I wonder if you’re lying. Are you being completely honest with us, or are you trying to avoid our questions?launched Conservative MP Rachael Thomas, alarmed by Crooks’ body language.

Crooks replied vehemently deny this notion.

In the spotlight over a controversial agreement between Canada Soccer and Canada Soccer Enterprises [Canadian Soccer Business]which handles sponsorships among other things, said Crooks, which he works on modernize the agreement to increase the value of the sponsorships.

It was an agreement that was good at the time. Now things have changedsaid Crooks.

In the agency agreement announced in 2019, Canada Soccer Business assumed sponsorship and broadcast rights deals in exchange for a $3 million annual payment to Canada Soccer. Canada Soccer Business uses a portion of its funds to fund the Canadian Men’s Premier League.

Many believe this agreement is too rigid and will not allow Canada Soccer to capitalize on the national teams’ recent successes. The women’s team won gold at the Tokyo 2022 Olympics, while the men’s team qualified for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“Better Days”

I firmly believe that we will find better dayssaid Crooks, reaffirming his willingness to cooperate Trust, transparency and communication.

Crooks shared his priorities for his tenure at the helm of Canada Soccer: achieve pay equityimprove Management of national team budgets so that they can ensure success, Revision of the sponsorship agreement with the organization Canada Soccer Enterprises add more players to the management of the association, give more power to the voting members of the organization and Ensuring full financial transparency.

I want to create an environment where everyone feels empowered to participate in our sport, have their voices heard, and disagreements are valued and discussed without fear.said Crooks.

Crooks was elected president in May after taking on the interim role following the departure of Nick Bondis, recognizing that a change was needed to settle the labor dispute with national teams.

In addition to Crooks, former Canadian football president Nick Bontis, general secretary Earl Cochrane and former president Steven Reed also testified before the Heritage Committee, as did CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, financiers’ chief operating officer Sean Hefferman and player Christine Sinclair, Janine Beckie and Sophie Smith.