Women's World Cup: Lawyers optimistic over Canada pitch dispute
Thursday 9 October 2014 13:11, UK
The legal team representing a group of elite players are optimistic that the dispute over the use of artificial pitches for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada will be resolved.
A group of almost 50 players from 12 countries has filed a lawsuit claiming sexual discrimination over the decision to use synthetic pitches for the tournament.
Legal proceedings were started against the Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal with the players unhappy about being relegated to artificial turf when the men’s World Cup is played on natural grass.
FIFA officials have just completed an inspection tour of the six stadiums where matches will be played and this has given encouragement to the lawyers that a solution to the issue can be found.
Tatjana Haenni, FIFA deputy director of the competitions division and head of women's competitions, said: “Canada is well on track. We've inspected the six stadiums, and overall, we are pleased with Canada’s readiness.”
A story on FIFA’s website about the inspection also said that "all certification steps for stadium pitches are expected to be completed by early 2015" and this statement was welcomed by lawyer Hampton Dellinger, who is representing the players.
He told the Canadian Press: "It supports our position that there's plenty of time to come up with a reasonable solution.
"They can't say today that these fields are acceptable. So that really, in a way, provides an opportunity for the two sides to come together as we have tried to do, and work this out."
However, despite Dellinger’s optimism, FIFA remains adamant there will be no U-turn.
"We play on artificial turf and there's no Plan B," Haenni said.
