FIFA rep ‘ turfs’ complaints
Secretary general says use of artificial surfaces is not an issue
OTTAWA — A combative secretary general of soccer’s world governing body called the vigorous complaints about the artificial- turf used in six Canadian facilities for the next Women’s World Cup “nonsense” Friday.
And Jerome Valcke was equally dismissive of complaints about a disparity in prize money between the women’s tournament and the more lucrative men’s championship.
“I’m amazed by the size of the scale of the discussion and where we are when talking about artificial pitches,” the Frenchman told the assembled media at the Westin Hotel.
“Why? Because we have decided, FIFA, and it’s part of our statutes and regulations that artificial pitches can be used as well as natural grass to make sure that we can play football everywhere around the world.”
A group of top female soccer players has filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, arguing that playing on artificial surfaces is discriminatory because the men’s World Cup is played on grass. FIFA is not officially part of that process, and the Canadian Soccer Association, national organizing committee for the 2015 tournament, has declined to proceed to expedited mediation.
Valcke had said he was willing to engage in open dialogue on the matter, but refused a request by a lawyer representing the complainants for a conference call this week.
He said FIFA’s executive board had the authority to authorize use of artificial surfaces that met its quality standards. As well, he said, under17 and under- 20 World Cups had been contested on artificial pitches, as was a Russian qualifying match for the 2010 men’s World Cup.
Valcke said he discussed the issue in Paris with two members of the French women’s team, and if necessary would do so in Canada this weekend and again during Ballon d’Or award ceremonies in Switzerland in January.
However, Canada’s Christine Sinclair is the only player expected to be in attendance Saturday for the 2015 tournament draw at the Museum of Canadian History and members of the Canadian women’s team are not included in the human rights complaint.
“I’m expecting to sit in front of people and not ( talk) via a phone conference call, and I don’t have to speak to a lawyer,” Valcke said. “Why should I speak to anyone other than the players? At the end, the World Cup is about the players. It’s about these 22 who, on the pitch, will give us an amazing show, an amazing event.
“I’m ready to discuss with all the players, with all the technical teams, with all the coaches, but face- to- face. I travelled to Paris, I’m ready to travel wherever I have to travel to do that.”
Sinclair, one of the world’s top female soccer players, seemed OK with being left out of the complaint process. She would rather talk about her confidence in the Canadian team’s ability to perform well in the tournament to be held in six cities in five time zones between June 6 and July 5.
“Obviously, I think every player likes grass, but it’s not an issue that I’m focusing on,” said the B. C. native, who plays professionally for the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League.
“It’s an honour that Canada has put in a bid and won the bid to host the World Cup. It’s going to be an honour to play a home World Cup, and that’s what I’m focusing on, being as prepared as possible for that, and we’ll let other players and other teams worry about what surface we are playing on.”
The Ottawa- based CSA was the sole remaining bidder when FIFA approved its selection as host in March 2011.
That bid proposal included use of artificial surfaces.
“Depending on what side you want to take, you can argue any way you want,” Victor Montagliani, the head of the Canadian Soccer Association, said. “The reality is that we haven’t done anything wrong.”