Eight Democratic senators have intervened on behalf of female soccer players worldwide who are fighting a controversial decision by the sport’s international governing body to play this year’s Women’s World Cup on artificial turf.
In a letter this week to FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the senators urged him to work out a compromise with the players regarding the playing surfaces of the venues at quadrennial tournament, which will be played at several sites in Canada in June and July.
More than 60 top international women’s soccer players have filed a lawsuit against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association for gender discrimination, citing that the men’s FIFA World Cup competition has never been played on artificial turf.
The players say that artificial turf hurts the quality of play and increases the risk of injury.
“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 senators wrote. “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.”
Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, who signed the letter, said “FIFA should not have one set of rules and standards for the men’s World Cup, which for good reason, bans the use of artificial turf, and a different one for the women’s World Cup, which allows it.
“The fact that FIFA is not treating these women players equally, and forcing them to play on artificial turf, is an egregious error on their part and sends an awful message to the legions of girls and women who love this sport,” he said.
Talks between FIFA and the players on Monday ended without resolution.
FIFA has insisted artificial turf doesn’t affect the quality of play or increase the risk of players sustaining leg injuries.
Abby Wambach, a longtime member of the U.S. National Team, said FIFA’s position is nonsense.
“It’s tough because as female athletes we want to be treated equal and we want to be playing on grass,” the 34-year-old star forward said on Monday, as reported by the Associated Press.
“I know I’m going to be a heck of a lot more sore [playing on artificial turf] after the tournament, that’s for sure.”
The other Democrats who signed the letter are Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Patty Murray of Washington, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Barbara Boxer of California, Robert Casey of Pennsylvania and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut.
