By Andrew Warshaw
October 30 – FIFA have broken their silence over the artificial turf controversy that threatens to disrupt next year’s Womens World Cup in Canada, insisting the pitches will be of the highest standard and rejecting any sense of discrimination against female players.
Earlier this week the turf war was heightened when lawyers representing an elite group of some 60 international players fighting to play on natural grass added a retaliation claim against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association, claiming “unlawful reprisal threats” towards those participating, on top of the original lawsuit claiming gender discrimination.
FIFA have declined to comment on the latest claim but in an interview on its website, FIFA secretary-general Jerome Valcke said organisers had every right to use synthetic surfaces “provided that it is of the highest quality and the same playing surface is used for all venues and training sites.”
The protesting players have made the point that the men’s World Cup has never been played on anything but natural grass.
But Valcke added: “It could well be that sooner rather than later the men’s World Cup will also be played on artificial pitches. The Canadian Soccer Association proposed for the tournament to be played on artificial turf based on the fact that most sporting infrastructure in Canada is on artificial turf, primarily due to the extreme climate in the host country. It would be very difficult to ensure solid natural-grass pitches at all venues.”
The tournament next June is being played in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton and Valcke explained: “As has already been explained, this is not a question of money, or of differences between men’s and women’s events, but it is a matter of the natural conditions in Canada.
“We want to guarantee consistent top-level playing conditions for all 24 teams during the event, both in the official stadiums and at the training sites. This has been the sole reason behind the decision to play on artificial turf from Day One.”
“We fully understand that the players who have qualified for the Women’s World Cup want to ensure that they have the best conditions to perform well. This is a goal they share with FIFA.”
But a lawyer representing the women accused Valcke of being disingenuous.
“The 2018 and 2022 men’s World Cups are already slated for grass so, by soon, FIFA means 2026,” said Hampton Dellinger.
“And Mr. Valcke’s excuse of Canada’s ‘extreme climate’ is astounding given that (2018 and 2022 men’s World Cup hosts) Russia and Qatar boast their own equally – or even more difficult – weather conditions. The natural grass pitch at BMO Field in Toronto certainly appears to do just fine during the summer months when the World Cup is staged.”
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