By Andrew Warshaw
January 22 – After months of fractious and sometimes ferocious protest, the turf war is over with a group of elite players dropping their bid to sue FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association over the use of artificial pitches at the Women’s World Cup which kicks off on June 6.
But they insisted their campaign was worth it, if only to highlight fairer treatment for female players worldwide.
Organisers had always insisted that the pitches to be used in Canada were of the highest possible standard and reacting to the announcement to drop the case, FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said the sport’s governing body had worked hard with players and technical staff “to address their concerns and doubts.”
“What was very clear from the meetings with the players was their desire and enthusiasm about making this the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever, and to ensure that they have the best possible conditions to perform well,” Valcke said in a statement.
“This is a goal they share with FIFA and we are totally committed to providing the best possible surface to enable everyone to enjoy a great footballing spectacle.
“We – the participating teams and the organisers – can now all focus on the preparation and promotion of the biggest event in women’s football this June in Canada.”
The players’ lawyer, Hampton Dellinger, who had campaigned relentlessly on their behalf and reportedly gave his services pro bono, did his best to secure the moral high ground, laying the blame for the case collapsing squarely at the feet of the authorities who he claimed had bullied the protesters into submission after they filed a complaint at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
In a statement, Dellinger accused FIFA and the CSA of “threatening protesting players with suspension, doing everything possible to delay a final court ruling despite the players’ need to know what surface the tournament will be held on so they can train accordingly, suggesting they would either defy an adverse court ruling or cancel the tournament and, most recently, rejecting the players’ undeniably fair settlement offer.
“In the face of such irresponsible actions by FIFA and CSA, the players have elected to end their legal fight. The players are doing what FIFA and CSA have proven incapable of: putting the sport of soccer first.”
Dellinger implied that the legal action was dropped because the pitch that most concerned the players, in Vancouver where the final will be played, will be relaid with new artificial turf.
In a parting shot, he added: “The deplorable artificial surface at B.C. Place, the site of the final, will be replaced . . . and we know that the 2019 World Cup will be held on grass. Moreover, the players and their supporters have highlighted continuing gender inequity in sports and lessened the chance that such wrongdoing will occur in the future.”
The protest drew massive social media support and was backed by a string of high-profile show business stars. The players themselves insisted their challenge had been worthwhile and had made a difference. They had argued that making them play on artificial turf was discriminatory when the men always play on grass.
“On behalf of the players, I want to thank all who aided our fight for natural grass fields at the 2015 World Cup including our volunteer lawyers from Canada and the United States,” said United States star forward Abby Wambach, who fronted the protest.
“Our legal action has ended. But I am hopeful that the players’ willingness to contest the unequal playing fields – and the tremendous public support we received during the effort – marks the start of even greater activism to ensure fair treatment when it comes to women’s sports.”
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