On Thursday ,nine U.S. senators renewed their calls for FIFA,aiming at reach a compromise playing 2015 Women’s World Cup matches on artificial turf.And so didtop international women’s soccer players who have filed a lawsuit against the organization.
Players including American star Abby Wambach and Brazilian great Marta filed a lawsuit against FIFA in a Canadian court (Canada is hosting the 2015 World Cup), alleging that FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association violated human rights laws that protect against gender discrimination when they decided to hold the Cup on artificial surfaces. The women assert that it constitutes discrimination because FIFA would not hold a men’s World Cup on turf; neither a men’s nor women’s Cup has been played on turf, and the next two men’s tournaments are scheduled to take place on grass.
The letter from the nine senators, led by Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), follows up on a previous letter sent by 13 senators in November that called on FIFA to change its stance on artificial turf for the 2015 World Cup in Canada. FIFA has since stood by its decision, saying it has “no plan B.”
“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,” the letter continues. “The United States Women’s National Team has been an inspiration for our country. These incredible female athletes are talented and hard-working, and they endeavor to hold themselves to the highest standards of sportsmanship and teamwork. We are proud of our players, and relegating them to fields that men would not play upon sends the wrong message to them and the world.”
“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,” it concludes.
Sens. Patty Murray (D-WA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Bob Casey (D-PA), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) also signed the letter, which is copied to Sunil Gulati, the president of the U.S. Soccer federation.
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