Abby Wambach Says FIFA Turned Down Offer for Grass Fields at Women's World Cup
By Mike Cardillo
The Women’s World Cup is about a month away from kicking off across Canada. One of the bigger storylines going into the tournament was the bid’s decision to use artificial turf fields at its six venues. A group of high-profile players, including Abby Wambach, filed a suit against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association over this citing gender discrimination. The players dropped their suit in January.
In something that can only be classified as FIFA being FIFA, Wambach says soccer’s governing body turned down an offer for grass fields. Per an article on ESPNW by Julie Foudy, Wambach says the Scotts Company offered to provide free grass fields, but FIFA declined. The reason? It wasn’t in the original bid by the Canadian Association.
Apparently the decision came right from the top:
"When asked whether she heard that response second hand or if it was told to her directly, Wambach said, “I heard it from the second highest guy, [FIFA secretary general] Jerome Valcke, himself.”"
In the video Wambach says the Valcke assured players the Women’s World Cup would never be played on turf again.
Meanwhile in more dispiriting FIFA news, Sepp Blatter declared himself the “godfather” of woman’s soccer. A comment so rich with irony it’s almost impossible to type.
The USWNT play the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. It opens the World Cup June 8 against Australia in Winnipeg.