Players file lawsuit against FIFA alleging World Cup gender discrimination

A group of women's soccer players has filed suit against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association, arguing that the decision to play the 2015 Women's World Cup on turf is illegal gender-based discrimination.

FIFA has insisted the games will be played on artificial turf, despite complaints from players that the surfaces are subpar and dangerous. Players threatened a lawsuit in July, noting that the men's World Cup was played on grass, as is standard. So now that FIFA and the CSA have refused to reconsider — a FIFA official said Tuesday there was no "plan B" — the group filed suit in Ontario claiming the governing body was "embarrassing the game and, even more, themselves."

"Getting an equal playing field at the World Cup is a fight female players should not have to wage but one from which they do not shrink," an attorney for the group said in a statement. "In the end, we trust that fairness and equality will prevail over sexism and stubbornness."

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