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From Europe to Canada

In the latest Sports Betting Operator magazine, IBIA’s Education Ambassador, Jean-François Reymond, discusses the importance of player education as the first line of defense against match-fixing. Match-fixing’s impact on sports, regulated betting operators, and consumers can be severe. Protecting sports integrity means safeguarding athletes and regulated markets alike. IBIA and our members – bet365, Betway Group, and FanDuel – have dedicated CA$300,000 to player education initiatives for professional athletes in Canada from 2024-2027, supporting the sports community as Ontario leads the way with an open, responsibly managed gambling market.

PFA Canada Announces New Executive & Board of Directors

PFA Canada announced yesterday at its Annual General Meeting the organization’s newly elected leadership team.
Marco Carducci, initially elected as First Vice-President to PFA Canada’s founding board in 2020, was acclaimed as President. Rounding out the rest of the PFA Canada roster are: Ben Fisk, First Vice-President (Vancouver FC)
Callum Irving, Second Vice President (Vancouver FC), Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Treasurer (Cavalry FC), Manuel Aparicio, Director (Atlético Ottawa), Josh Heard, Director, (Pacific FC).

Notification of Annual General Meeting

Be advised that PFA Canada will be hosting its 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. This AGM also includes elections to the Board of Directors.

IBIA and PFA Canada join forces to provide sports integrity education

CPL players first to benefit from CA$300,000 education fund commitment by regulated sports betting operators.

McCormack becomes first female CEO in the League of Ireland

Four years after coming forward about systemic abuse in Canadian soccer, PFACan Board Member Ciara McCormack was installed this month as co-owner and CEO of Treaty FC where she aims to create a blueprint for a player-centric organization

Former Canadian international plans next step from aboard his floating home in Spain

Newly retired as a player, former International Issey Nakajima-Farran is working on his future aboard a boat in Barcelona. Football has already taken the 39-year-old around the globe.

Reflections on the FIFPRO Women’s Football Summit

I spent a few days at the FIFPRO Women’s Football Summit in Amsterdam. Being at the conference reminded me of all the things I love about football.

‘The reality behind the Olympic medals’: Ex-Whitecaps push for national inquiry

Two former Vancouver Whitecaps players made an impassioned and gut-wrenching case for a national inquiry into toxic, and at times, abusive sports culture in Canada.

Elite athletes demand public inquiry into abuse in sports

Elite athletes appeared before a House of Commons committee to accuse the federal government of doing nothing in response to abuse in sports and to demand a national public inquiry.

Canadian Premier League voluntarily recognizes new players' association

The CPL says it has voluntarily recognized that PFA Canada will represent professional soccer players under contract to CPL teams.

Recognizing the Need for a CPL Players Association

There there is one first the league is still waiting for: its first recognized Player’s Association

McCormack remains skeptical of Canada Soccer’s promises after review

McCormack sometimes feels like she’s living in a George Orwell novel, where regimes hold on to power for its own sake and for no higher purpose.

PFACan: “FIFPRO brought us true international solidarity among professional athletes

As next step in the professionalisation of that journey, it’s vital the voice of players is heard and done so through collective bargaining.

How Langford became the hub of a Canadian soccer player’s union movement

After nearly two years, the player-led movement is nearing official recognition from the league

PFACan on CPL players needing a union: 'There's a vulnerability there with the players'

In a 1-on-1 chat with TFC Republic, PFACan legal counsel discusses where things stand with CPL players forming a union, and the road ahead.

Our ultimate goal is to find safe sport for all athletes

I think that this is the most hopeful that I've been in terms of having somebody at the table advocating for us

Former players want investigation into Vancouver Whitecaps to include Canada Soccer

Players allege a 'pattern of negligent leadership at both Canada Soccer and the Whitecaps

Union Alliance: PFA Canada Announces Partnership With CSPA

PFA Can has officially partnered with the Canadian Soccer Players Association, marking a significant milestone for both unions as they fight to improve the rights for those they represent.

Atlético Ottawa goalkeeper Dylon Powley speaks out in favour of players' union

A unionization drive among professional soccer players in Canada is gaining steam as the CPL second season during the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Chris Mannella supports Pride campaign: “The least I can do is stand with them”

Everyone within the football industry has a part to play in creating a secure environment for the LGBTQ+ community, including the task of education and awareness.

Ready to Board: Ciara McCormack, a Canadian trailblazer fighting abuse in football

FIFPRO’s ‘Ready to Board’ programme began this week to guide inspirational women towards leadership roles in the football industry

De Jong wins second term as head of Professional Footballers Association Canada

Marcel de Jong has won a second term as president of PFA Can. De Jong, who recently announced his retirement as a Pacific FC player, won by acclamation

Canadian Premier League opens up about finances, saying it's time for transparency

The decision to share some of the financial figures comes at a time when CPL players are trying to form a union

Marcel de Jong leads fight to organize CPL players, pointing to uneven playing field

As a veteran who played in the Netherlands, Germany and MLS, de Jong had more bargaining power than most when he came to the CPL.

Levelling the playing field

Beyond the glamour of the billboards and television broadcasts, CanPL’s players – the backbone of the whole league – have been struggling for respect and fair pay

Canadian union: “Our players are not golden spoon athletes"

Over a year ago, de Jong asked Dan Kruk if he could help establish a player association in Canada. De Jong noticed in the newly established CPL that player rights were not as well protected as in the other countries he played

Opinion: Pressure building on Canadian Premier League to recognize PFACan union

PFA Can announced it had been granted official candidate membership by FIFPRO. But the CPL is yet to recognize the Canadian soccer players’ union.

Matheson, De Jong join Global Player Council

Diana Matheson and Marcel de Jong are the two newest members of the FIFPRO Global Player Council.

We have to fight the league

Normally, such a gesture would be negotiated with the Players' Association. However, even if there is one, the league refuses to recognize it.

Union, League, Club and Fans

We all realize there is a long road ahead for the union in its relationship with the CanPL.

Players vote to ratify union after CPL wage cuts fast-track plans

The COVID-19 crisis might be a curse or a blessing for a CPL players' association trying to get off the ground.