Leading women footballers have abandoned their legal action over the use of artificial pitches at this year's Women's World Cup in Canada. A case claiming sexism against the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) and world governing body Fifa was withdrawn at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal.
Players' attorney Hampton Dellinger said the case had "highlighted continuing gender inequity in sports".
He claimed that the action, although abandoned, had "lessened the chance that such wrongdoing will occur in the future".
Dellinger said that the players were "putting the sport of soccer first" by abandoning their legal fight.
"The players' united, international effort to protest discrimination has had a positive impact," he added.
"The deplorable artificial surface at BC Place, the site of the final, will be replaced. Goalline technology will be used for the first time in a women's World Cup and we know that the 2019 World Cup will be held on grass."
