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The group of women’s soccer players who were suing the Canadian Soccer Association over the use of artificial turf at the Women’s World Cup from the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.
U.S Soccer Star, Abby Wambach, who spearheaded the lawsuit had this to say of the suit being withdrawn, “I am hopeful that the players’ willingness to contest the unequal playing fields — and the tremendous public support we received during the effort — marks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.”
“The players’ united, international effort to protest discrimination has had a positive impact,” said the lawyer for the group, Hampton Dellinger, in a released statement addressed things that the suit did manage to accomplish. “The deplorable artificial surface at BC Place, the site of the final, will be replaced. Goal-line technology will be used for the first time in a Women’s World Cup and we know that the 2019 World Cup will be held on grass.”
FIFA had shown very little willingness to meet with the women suing, and some of the players dropped out of the suit out of fear of discrimination from their respective clubs and other soccer associations around the world.
The suit was largely started because of the discrimination in the quality of the playing fields and other issues regarding unequal treatment of women players in comparison to the men.
Dellinger, despite all of the issues surrounding the upcoming Women’s World Cup, is still encouraging fans to support the event next year.
Those that enabled FIFA and CSA to engage in discrimination and retaliation through their actions or silent acquiescence, particularly national soccer federations, should also be held to account,” Dellinger said. “The on-field skill, courage, and determination the players will display will redeem the tournament from the ineptitude and ingratitude of its organizers.”
