Painful Truth of the Women’s World Cup

Jackie Godden

Straub B3

Economics

27 October, 2014

Painful Truth of the Women’s World Cup

Every four years the world’s best women soccer players from from across the globe battle to earn their country the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first Women’s World Cup was in 1991, and in 2015 Canada will host the seventh tournament. The upcoming tournament is far different than the past; the 2015 Women’s World Cup will be played on artificial turf. Athletes everywhere are furious about the Canadian Soccer Association's decision and FIFA’s approval. Playing on artificial turf is far different than playing on grass. A survey conducted by FIFA found that 77% of female players think all matches at a major tournament should be played on natural turf. The marginal cost of playing on artificial turf is far greater than the marginal benefit.

United States Women's National Team players claim the game is totally different on artificial turf, and leads to many negative externalities. Megan Rapinoe says, “It plays totally different,” and fellow midfielder Shannon Boxx says, “It’s not the same game.” Playing on artificial turf increases chance of injury. Star of the U.S. Women’s National team Sydney Leroux used twitter to express her anger about the CSA and FIFA’s decision. She tweeted a picture of her scraped, bloody, and turf-burned legs. Other athletes spread the picture in support. Kevin Durant tweeted to show his support, Colin Kaepernick spread it on instagram, and Tom Hanks tweeted his opinion.

Sure, artificial turf has its advantages; it requires no maintenance and upkeep. But the truth is that artificial turf causes more negative externalities than positive externalities. The Canadian Soccer Association released that hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and the Women’s World Cup in 2015 will bring in $337 million. Creating natural turf fields would increase expenses, but it would end the conflict.

A FIFA world cup has never been played on artificial turf before. Men’s teams never have, and probably never will play a world cup match on artificial turf. Women’s teams are outraged at the inequality. Fifty of the world’s best womens soccer players from around the world have joined together and obtained legal counsel to fight the inequality. The women demand that natural grass be installed. Fixing this problem could be as simple as laying sod over the artificial turf, like it has been done in the past. Is $337 million dollars really worth injuring the best athletes in women’s soccer?

The Women’s World Cup should not be played on artificial turf because it increases the chance injury and changes the game. Artificial turf increases chance of concussion and ankle sprains, and causes turf burns and turf toe. It also reaches painfully hot temperatures. Female athletes deserve the same rights as men. The opportunity cost to achieve equal rights might require female soccer players suing FIFIA, and possibly a strike.

FIFA and the CSA should consider marginal benefit and marginal cost of playing on turf. Less maintenance is not worth increased injuries and angry athletes. They should also consider the marginal cost and marginal benefit of creating natural turf fields for the tournament. Placing sod over the artificial turf is worth the price considering it would reduce injuries and end this conflict between athletes and FIFA.

Bibliography:

"FIFA: The World Cup Should Be Played on Natural Grass." Coworker. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <https://www.coworker.org/petitions/fifa-the-world-cup-should-be-played-on-natural-grass>.

"Canada Soccer." Economic impact of upcoming FIFA competitions in Canada expected to exceed $337 million. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.canadasoccer.com/economic-impact-of-upcoming-fifa-competitions-in-canada-expected-to-exceed-337-million-p155877>.

"FIFA sued over artificial turf at Women's World Cup by Abby Wambach, Alex Morgan, Nadine Angerer." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/female-soccer-players-file-discrimination-suit-over-womens-world-cup/>.

"United States women's national team stars not backing down on stance vs. artificial playing surfaces." FOX Sports. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Oct. 2014. <http://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/uswnt-stars-not-backing-down-on-stance-artificial-playing-surface-2015-womens-world-cup-091014>.