Only real grass will do for the women’s World Cup: Vancouver councillor

By

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – If artificial turf isn’t good enough for the men’s World Cup, it shouldn’t be good enough for the women’s tournament in Canada next year.

That’s the essence of a motion set to be put forward by a Vancouver city councillor today and heard tomorrow.

It’s about equality, says Green Party councillor Adriane Carr, who points out that no men’s or women’s version of the world’s premier soccer tournament has ever been played on an artificial surface.

“My motion is all about getting equal play for women on the soccer pitch,” explains Carr.

“We are a city that is absolutely dedicated to egalitarianism — equality between sexes and between all people. We should be ensuring that this tournament in Vancouver is played on grass pitches, which is exactly what everybody agrees is best for the sport.”

She’s asking FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association to pony up for real grass or, failing that, the province or the city to foot the bill.

“I want to see grass put down so the women can play the high performance game that they have the skills to do,” says Carr.

It’s the latest development in the debate which has seen several elite players file a lawsuit against the Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA to court over the issue.

Vancouver is set to play a prominent part in next year’s tournament, with the final played at BC Place.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today