FIFA boss claims Canadian politicians ‘don’t get it’ in plea to save Vancouver Whitecaps

The Whitecaps' lease of BC Place will come to a close after the 2026 MLS season -Credit:Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz/Getty Images

“At the same time, we have a responsibility to ensure the long-term health of the league and its clubs, and we will evaluate all options, including interest that has been expressed in the club from other markets and investor groups.”

Clearly infuriated with the handling of the situation surrounding the Whitecaps, FIFA vice president and CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani told The Athletic that local politicians should shoulder much of the blame for the current uncertainty, and that it's far beyond time to act.

“The frustrating part for me is the fans get it, our soccer community gets it. But what I’m hoping now, with this alarm bell that’s gone off, is that our politicians wake up to it,” he said.

“It is the biggest community asset we have. And the other (Vancouver-based) professional clubs are the same, they’ve been around forever — the (BC) Lions and the (Vancouver) Canucks.

“So, it’s very frustrating that leaders, mainly political leaders, don’t get it. They don’t get the equity of these clubs. And the virtue signaling of saying, ‘Oh, taxpayer money.’ Well, if you’re really worried about the taxpayer, you’d do a better job in other areas.”

Montagliani, who previously worked as the president of both the British Columbia Soccer Association and the Canada Soccer Association, is far from the first high-profile figure to call for action to save the Whitecaps from relocation.

In a video shared on social media, B.C. Premier David Eby said, “To every Whitecaps fan in British Columbia and around the world, I want you to know we are working hard to save the Whitecaps…

“We have the World Cup coming. We are a world-class football town. Losing the Whitecaps is not an option. I saw the shots of the fans out at the rally to save the Whitecaps. We are on the same side. We will fight hard to save our team.”

Unfortunately, somewhat undermining the seriousness of Eby’s message, MLS commissioner Don Garber’s account was subsequently hacked, commenting on the video, “Liar liar pants on fire.”

Whitecaps fans have been outspoken in their desire for the club to secure its long-term future in Vancouver -Credit:Rich Lam/Getty Images

Garber later posted, “My account was compromised earlier this evening. The issue has been resolved. I appreciate Premier Eby for taking the time to meet with me today.”

Meanwhile, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim recently penned a press release titled “Save The Caps,” in which he said, “BC Place is owned and operated by the Provincial Government. In fact, it’s the only stadium owned and operated by a government found anywhere in the MLS.

“In order for the team to stay in Vancouver, the Whitecaps and Province must sign a bridge deal that will allow BC Place to become viable in the near term while a new stadium can be designed and built.

“So today, we are calling on the team’s ownership to publicly and clearly articulate what they need to stay here in Vancouver, and we are calling on the Provincial Government to come to the table and make that a reality.”

One potential location for such a new stadium could be Hastings Park, with the City having already agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding in December, allowing the sides a negotiation period that will run through 2026 to discuss the potential of using the site for not only a stadium but also an adjacent entertainment district.