Women's stars file lawsuit against FIFA, CSA over World Cup artificial turf

A group of the world’s top women’s players, including U.S. stars like Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, went ahead and filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in Toronto

A group of the world’s top women’s players, including U.S. stars like Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan, went ahead and filed a lawsuit on Wednesday in Toronto against FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association over their plan to use artificial turf at next year’s Women’s World Cup. The women want natural grass, and they’re arguing that it’s a gender-discrimination case, saying the men’s World Cup would never be played on artificial turf.

As part of the suit, lawyer Hampton Dellinger says, they have filed a “motion to expedite” so that the case could be decided by the end of the calendar year. That would give organizers enough time to take action if the court requires it. The case will be decided by a judge on Ontario’s human rights tribunal.

• MORE: FIFA maintains there's no Plan B to replace WWC turf

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

• ​WAHL: Sexism remains a large part of FIFA culture

Here are the court documents filed on Wednesday, obtained by SI.com:

•​ Lawsuit application

•​ Facts and law supporting the players' case

•​ Request to expedite the case