The Canadian Soccer Federation announced on Monday that Alison Walker, recently appointed as the General Secretary of the federation, has decided to leave her position due to an "unforeseen personal matter." Walker was appointed to this role last month and was set to officially start her duties on Monday as the first woman to hold the position of General Secretary of the governing body for Canadian soccer.
In a press release from the Canadian Soccer Federation, Walker stated, "After careful consideration and discussions with my family, I have decided for personal reasons to step back for a while and will not be taking up the position of General Secretary." She expressed her best wishes for Canadian soccer, stating she would continue to support them from afar.
Walker has spent most of her professional life in sports, holding leadership roles in media, amateur and professional sports, as well as in esports. She was previously an official with the Canadian Olympic Committee, where she worked closely with the Canadian Soccer Federation during the 2012 London Olympics.
Charmain Crooks, the President of the Canadian Soccer Federation, expressed solidarity with Walker, saying, "We stand with Alison as she deals with an unforeseen personal matter that unfortunately prevents her from taking on the role of General Secretary. While we were all looking forward to her leadership role in the Canadian Soccer Federation, we fully understand and greatly respect her request for privacy."
