Does FIFA + USSF = Inequality towards women?
March 16th, 2025by Phil Pyle, Jr.
Before you read this column, for just one moment, ask yourself the following:What would you say to your daughter if she came to you and asked …
"Are boys better than me?"
"Why do men get paid more than I do for the same job?"
"Would you prefer to watch me play soccer or your son?"
"Why would you allow me play on plastic but turn the world over so your son can play on real grass?"
Can you look your daughter in the eye and honestly tell her that boys are better? I cannot, because it is not true. But a few people believe otherwise.
In case you missed the Women's World Cup draw, the USA was placed in Group D with powerhouse Sweden, a very strong Australian side and a formidable Nigerian team. Pundits say they are in the "group of death." But this "group" pales in comparison to the tournament organisers and FIFA who could collectively be called "the group of misogynists."
For the first time in football history; FIFA and Canada have decided that the 2025 Women's World Cup will be contested on plastic fields instead of natural grass. Abby Wambach, captain of the USWNT (United States Women's National Team) has filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against FIFA with the support of other professional women footballers.
For a point of reference, the USWNT is one of the most successful national teams in United States history. This is not a team that should need to file a lawsuit to play football on natural grass – they have earned that right. The outcome of the suit should be obvious, but then again, nothing is obvious when FIFA is involved.
Think about it for minute – playing a World Cup on plastic?
I love the smell of irony when I hear people conveniently using the term "turf" or "artificial turf" to describe plastic playing surfaces. It is like calling fecal matter "waste," the act of slaughtering an animal "processing" or saying USSF (United States Soccer Federation) President Sunil Gulati is "the single most important person in the development of soccer in this country". But facts are facts. "Turf" is still plastic, waste is still … (well, you know) and Gulati is not as important as he or others make him out to be.
Plastic? An artificial surface that every professional footballer around the globe, male or female, has said is wildly inferior to natural grass. Would any professional prefer playing any sport such as tennis, baseball or basketball on plastic? Sounds stupid, doesn't it? It sounds stupid because playing any sport, at its highest level, on plastic is just that – stupid. Yes, there are countless circumstances where plastic fields are necessary and cost effective.
