ZURICH (AP) β FIFA says the men’s World Cup could be played “sooner rather than later” on artificial pitches in the latest defense of its decision not to stage the 2015 women’s tournament in Canada on grass.
A discrimination case is being pursued by some female players, who claim that men would never be asked to play matches at football’s biggest competition on anything but real grass.
But FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke says the best way to “guarantee consistent top-level playing conditions” in Canada is to play on artificial turf.
In an interview with FIFA’s website, Valcke added that “it could well be that sooner rather than later the men’s World Cup will also be played on artificial pitches.”
