conference call Wednesday, the CSA reiterated

The Canadian Soccer Association is sticking to its guns on the issue of artificial turf at the 2015 Womens World Cup.In a media conference call Wednesday, the CSA reiterated that it plans to play the tournament on a fantastic FIFA-approved surface. But it refused to say what surface it might attach to a possible mens World Cup hosting bid, saying the process of applying to host a future mens tournament is several years away.We have put up our hand seeking that we would intend to look at the process of putting a bid forward. Its very early days in that process, said Victor Montagliani, president of the Canadian Soccer Association.We dont even know what the parameters or the scope of that bid would need to look like from FIFA because they havent even sent out anything along those lines to any of the member associations.Montagliani estimated that was three years away.The CSA has said it plans to enter a formal bid for the 2026 Mens World Cup.The argument that there is a double standard for men and women when it comes to the World Cup playing surfaces is central to a complaint currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario.A group of elite womens players contends that having the men play their showcase tournament on real grass and the women on artificial turf is discriminatory.The CSA, which serves as the national organizing committee for the 2015 Womens World Cup, argues that FIFA allows matches to be played on so-called 2-Star artificial turf, which the world governing body of soccer gives the green light for top clubs, stadiums and international match play.The core issue in terms of the claim thats being advanced is that FIFA 2-Star is somehow second-class, said lawyer Sean Hern, representing the CSA. And its not second-class. Its a first-class playing field.And it is part of the Canadian game. Its been recognized as appropriate and this is going to be a fantastic playing surface and a fantastic tournament. There is no merit, in our view, in the suggestion that it is any way discriminatory.The visiting Czech Republic defeated Kazakhstan 4-2 in a Euro 2016 qualifying game this week on FIFA-approved artificial turf at the Astana Arena. And Montagliani noted Canada played Mexico in 2013 mens Gold Cup match on artificial turf in Seattles CenturyLink Field.But the mens World Cup has not been held on turf.Not yet, said Montagliani.He said it was clear from the beginning of the Canadian Womens World Cup bid that FIFA-approved artificial turf would be used.Montagliani said the budget for the tournament is $90 million. Lawyers for the women say their plan for temporary grass surfaces at stadiums in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Moncton would cost $2 million to $3 million at most.Lawyers for the both sides also have different ideas of the Ontario tribunals jurisdiction.Lawyers for the women, who filed the complaint in Ontario because the CSA is headquartered in Ottawa, believe a ruling would be followed in other provinces. The CSAs legal team is not so sure.Thats a very good question and its one weve raised directly in our response to date, said Hern. Its unclear as to whether the Ontario tribunal has any jurisdiction over stadium use and playing surfaces in another province and we would say that it likely doesnt.The tribunal has yet to rule on the womens request for an expedited hearing. 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