Safety cited in Women's World Cup turf war

Jan 27, 2012: In this file photo, United States' Kelly O'Hara (5) fights for control of the ball with Costa Rica's Daniela Cruz (8) during the first half of CONCACAF women's Olympic qualifying soccer game action at B.C. Place in Vancouver, British Columbia.AP

Even actor Tom Hanks has an opinion about whether the athletes at the 2015 Women's World Cup should play on artificial turf or grass.

A group of players from the U.S. women's national team, who will vie for a spot in the World Cup in October qualifying, have joined with several international players in protesting the turf surfaces for next summer's big event in Canada. And they're getting rapidly growing support from the sport's fans, including Hanks.

Last week Hanks, a big soccer fan, voiced his support on Twitter: "Opinion: Women's World Cup is the best Soccer of the year. Hey FIFA, they deserve real grass. Put in sod. Hanx."

The athletes say that it's not just a safety issue because turf is less forgiving than natural grass, it's about equity. They argue the men weren't asked to play soccer's top international tournament on a fake surface.

"It really goes down to this: The men would never play a World Cup on turf, so why should the women? It's the same tournament. It's the World Cup," U.S. forward Sydney Leroux said. "It's the biggest thing that we have for soccer. Why would we play on something that's not real?"

The athletes have formally joined in a letter of protest penned to FIFA, the sport's international governing body, and the Canadian Soccer Association. If they don't hear back soon, legal action could be taken in Canada based on that country's laws against gender-based discrimination.

Boies, Schiller & Flexner, the law firm involved in the recent lawsuit filed by former UCLA basketball star Ed O'Bannon against the NCAA, drafted the letter on behalf of the players and is prepared to go to court.

"I think it resonates with a lot of people," said Boise Schiller & Flexner attorney Hampton Dellinger. "It's important in and of itself, but it's also important on a symbolic level, that if some of the world's greatest athletes can be treated this way, it's a real setback for gender equity in sports. It should have never gotten to this point, but it's not too late for Canadian soccer and FIFA to do the right thing."

In an email to The Associated Press, FIFA acknowledged receipt of the letter, but declined further comment. The Canadian Soccer Association deferred to FIFA for reaction.

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Safety cited in Women's World Cup turf war