By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – A group of US senators has written to FIFA president Sepp Blatter in support of the elite female players who have been protesting against the decision to stage this summer’s women’s World Cup in Canada on artificial turf.
The letter, copied to US Soccer Federation chief Sunil Gulati, urged FIFA to work out a compromise to end an ongoing spat that seems increasingly likely to end with the players backing down and reluctantly agreeing to take part.
More than 60 top international women’s players have filed a lawsuit against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association for gender discrimination, citing that the men’s World Cup has always been played on natural grass.
“This is about more than the playing surface on which soccer matches are played: it is about the message we are sending to women and girls around the world,” wrote the senators, all of whom are Democrats and who have consistently expressed support for the protesting players.
“We urge you to continue discussions with the players, work to compromise in good faith and treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Last week the players concerned all but conceded that they will lose their battle to compete on natural grass. But the senators’ letter added: “FIFA literally is requiring female athletes to perform on an unequal playing field – one that it would not let men play upon.”
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