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Pellerud frustrated by CSA

September 17, 2007 at 2:43 PM EDT

CHENGDU, China — A decision by the Canadian Soccer Association not to host a women's Olympic qualifying tournament in Victoria has left national team coach Even Pellerud angry and frustrated.

The CSA says the event was turned down because it couldn't afford the $300,000 to $400,000 it would cost to operate the tournament.

Pellerud said he even offered to give money from the national team's budget so the Canadian women would enjoy a home-field advantage in the tournament, which will determine which two CONCACAF teams will play at next summer's Olympics in Beijing.

"We are talking about pocket money which we could get back if we were willing to put the effort in," Pellerud said Monday at the FIFA women's World Cup.

Even Pellerud of Canada signals his team during a Women's World Cup match against Ghana at Hangzhou Dragon Stadium on Sunday.

"It's very disappointing for me and the whole team. We know there will be funding in place if the CSA were willing to do research on it. That research was never done properly. That is disappointing."

Pellerud shook his head and said "no" when asked if not hosting the tournament will impact his decision on whether or not to renew his contract with the CSA.

Canada, ranked ninth in the world, plays No. 15 Australia on Wednesday. A win will advance Canada to the World Cup playoff round.

Angus Barrett, a CSA director at large and head of Canada's World Cup delegation, said CONCACAF did approach Canada about hosting the qualifying tournament and Victoria was willing to stage the event. CONCACAF is the region that covers North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

"The thing that we looked at was the cost involved," said Barrett. "It would cost us too much to host. That was the decision."

This summer's FIFA under-20 tournament drew over two million fans across Canada but ended up costing the CSA money.

"It's safe to say we didn't make money," he said. "We did lose money."

But that's not the case according to Peter Montopoli, national event director for the U-20 tournament.

Montopoli says talk of a loss is wrong, adding it is too early to determine the bottom line.

"At this point of time there is no financial statement that's been finalized," he said Monday from Ottawa.

Once the final figures are determined, the CSA will talk to FIFA about how to handle them.

The initial financial forecast for the event was a breakeven position, but then cumulative attendance soared to a tournament record 1.195 million.

The six-team Olympic tournament is now scheduled for Haiti early in 2008. The U.S., the defending Olympic champions, are expected to claim one of the two berths, leaving Canada and Mexico fighting for the other one.

"To play that tournament in Victoria instead of Haiti is a huge difference in terms of advantage," said Pellerud.

Barrett said Canada wasn't the only country that refused CONCACAF's offer.

"There were a number of countries that turned it down," he said. "We weren't the only ones because of the cost involved."

CONCACAF pays to fly the teams to the tournament but the host country covers hotels, meals and local transportation.

Barrett said the CSA couldn't afford the tournament because the men's team begins qualifying for the next World Cup in 2008 and the women will have to prepare for the Olympics.

"There are a lot of demands on the national team program," he said.

Not hosting the qualifying event is another embarrassment for the CSA.

Last month president Colin Linford suddenly resigned, citing a lack of support for his vision for the national organization.

The association is currently without a president, chief executive officer and a technical director.

Still, the CSA plans to send a delegation to Zurich next month to bid for the 2011 women's World Cup.

"Canada's bid will be looked at based on what we've done in the past," said Barrett.

Christine Sinclair, the captain of the women's team, rolled her eyes when asked about the Olympic tournament not being played in Canada.

"I'm not surprised," she said. "It's disappointing.

"It just seems a no-brainer we would want to host it but some people don't want to."

Pellerud's contract to coach the women's team ends after the Olympics. He took over a fractured and under-achieving program in 1999 and built a team that finished fourth at the 2003 World Cup.

He wouldn't say Monday if he plans to renew his contract after the Olympics.

"My focus now is only World Cup," he said. "When World Cup is finished my only focus will be the Olympic Games in 2008 and qualifying."

Barrett hopes Pellerud remains in Canada.

"We'd expect he will let us know what direction he wants to go in," said Barrett. "I'm always impressed with the preparation and the way he goes about doing his business.

"You've seen the success the program has had under his direction."

Veteran Andrea Neil said losing Pellerud would be a huge blow to the women's program.

"He has brought a winning attitude and behaviour we had not seen before as a Canadian program," she said. "For us to lose him would be incredibly sad."