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Wambach takes World Cup turf protest to FIFA’s Valcke

Abby Wambach of the United States, one of the nominees for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Keystone, Ennio Leanza) Abby Wambach of the United States, one of the nominees for the FIFA Women's World Player of the Year, attends a press conference prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or awarding ceremony at the Kongresshaus in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday, Jan. 12, 2015. (AP Photo/Keystone, Ennio Leanza)

By Associated Press January 12, 2015 1 min read

ZURICH (AP) – Top female players have taken their protest over artificial turf at the World Cup in Canada to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.

United States forward Abby Wambach says they talked “openly, candidly” ahead of Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, but “FIFA has made their decision and they are sticking to it.”

Wambach says “it’s tough because as a female athlete we want to be treated equal and we want to be playing on grass.”

The 2012 FIFA player of the year supports an anti-discrimination legal action filed in Canada. However, Wambach says an effective campaign would have needed “better dialogue” with FIFA before the decision.

Wambach says the 24 teams should not protest at the June 6-July 5 tournament because it would distract them from winning the World Cup.