TORONTO - FIFA has launched the latest salvo in defence of artificial turf at the 2015 Womens World Cup in Canada.In an article on FIFA.com, FIFA consultant Eric Harrison says artificial turf is a credible alternative to natural turf.And Harrison says artificial turf makes sense for Canadas climate.In countries like Canada, where most of the country experiences extremely harsh winters, preparing high quality natural turf venues is a challenge ... A late winter would bring incredible pressure to bear on preparing such grounds for the Women’s World Cup, he said.The majority of stadiums in Canada have accepted that only football turf is a credible surface to meet the demands of the weather and usage to which they wish to subject the fields.FIFA rules permit the use of artificial turf provided it meets certain standards.The world governing body of soccer and the Canadian Soccer Association, in its role as the tournaments national organizing committee, have been forced on the defensive over the World Cup playing surface via a lawsuit filed by a group of elite female players.The complaint is currently before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, which is mulling over a request from the women for an expedited hearing.Harrison, described by FIFA as an independent consultant, was part of the recent FIFA inspection tour that visited World Cup venues in Moncton, Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.In the interview, Harrison touches on a major platform of the womens complaint, that they are being discriminated against since the mens World Cup has always taken place on grass. If there was a climatic condition that warranted its usage, I would recommend it for the mens World Cup as it is currently already used in World Cup qualifiers, Champions League games and many leading football leagues. Harrison said. If it suffices for this elite level then it is obviously suitable for elite football competition.Hampton Dellinger, lawyer for the players group, dismissed Harrisons arguments. Mr. Harrisons longstanding ties to FIFA undercut any claim that he is independent, Dellinger said in a statement Friday. And his refusal to acknowledge the problems with plastic pitches in matches such as Andorra-Wales or the success of premier temporary grass fields at Womens Euro 2013 suggest hes not the expert FIFA claims him to be.For anyone to suggest that the mens World Cup would be played on fields likened to concrete such as B.C. Place is laughable.The World Cup final is scheduled for B.C. Place.The women want temporary grass surfaces installed, or, where available, have games moved to venues with real grass.Harrison also says laying a temporary grass surface over turf has not been successful due to the inability of the natural turf to form a stable surface.This can be dangerous to players as unsure footing results in players being cautious of how they move and turn on the surface, and in the worst-case scenario it can result in slippage of the boot on the surface, leading to overstretching of ankle ligaments and potential ACL injuries.While FIFA permits play on sanctioned turf, grass remains players preferred surface. Harrison seemed to touch on that in a indirect way.Football turf is a credible alternative, but if a good quality natural turf surface exists then embrace it, use it, enjoy it, Harrison concluded. However, if it is not possible to grow and maintain good quality natural turf for whatever reason, then football turf is a good alternative and its increased usage verifies this position.The CSA has retained a consultant of its own to test the World Cup playing surfaces to determine they meet FIFA standards. Those results are expected in early 2015.FIFAs executive committee has already ratified the decision to use artificial turf pitches at the tournament.Tatjana Haenni, FIFAs deputy director of the competitions division and head of womens competitions, delivered FIFAs position in person during the recent inspection trip when she said there was no Plan B.Harrison argues that preparing natural grass is particularly challenging in countries like Canada that have severe weather conditions.The fields in these northern latitudes are generally in poor condition after a long winter, with the natural turf appearing brown after many months without sunlight because they have been covered in snow. Furthermore, the effects of frost heave can leave many natural turf surfaces uneven, requiring extensive relevelling. Often, it is not until July/August that the natural turf has recovered sufficiently to be deemed to be in optimum condition.BMO Field in Toronto was just such a case this year after a long winter.Harrison took aim at another player argument, citing studies which concluded that the game at elite level was essentially the same on both football turf and natural turf.Harrison studied polymer science at Liverpool University and has a PhD from Loughborough University. He has served as chairman of the European Standards Committee on Sports Surfaces.The 24-team Womens World Cup runs June 6 through July 7.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Authentic Bobby Hart Jersey . Ozuna hit Reeds 2-2 pitch off the batters eye far above the 407-foot sign in straightaway centre. It was the fifth blown save in 25 tries for Reed (1-5) and the ninth home run the closer has allowed in 38 appearances. Nuno, acquired in the deal that sent Brandon McCarthy to the New York Yankees, gave up three hits, struck out a career-high seven and walked one in seven innings. Authentic Jordan Willis Jersey . -- Peyton Manning is the only player in this Super Bowl who has won the big game. http://www.cheapbengalsjerseysauthentic....oe-mixon-jersey. - Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II says the NFL has told the team it will not be docked a pick in this years draft for coach Mike Tomlins foray onto the field against Baltimore last November. Authentic Mason Schreck Jersey . Pospisil, the seventh seed, saved match points in each of the last two sets before falling to the unseeded Dutchman. "I wasnt very happy with the way I was playing,"said Pospisil. Authentic Randy Bullock Jersey . Hoffman, the former star closer, will evaluate and help co-ordinate all pitchers at Double-A, Triple-A and the big league team. Byrnes says Hoffman "will be a key part of finishing the development of our younger pitchers.Gary Anderson admits he never needed a mentor to guide him towards world title glory, but is happy to pass on 20 years of experience to his protégé Michael Smith. The 45-year-old Scot is enjoying the finest spell of his career, which has seen him collect back-to-back World Championship trophies and he is currently defending his Premier League title.Anderson has been joined in the Premier League by debutant Smith, a talented 25-year-old who has sought regular advice from the experienced champion. When he first made his name in the sport, Anderson was known as the Dream Boy and did not seek any guidance as he pursued his own ambitions.Im one of these folk who is thick-skinned. If I cant do it myself, then I cant do it. Thats the way it goes, said Anderson, who signed a new contract with Unicorn Darts last week.But after a lengthy spell in the sport, Anderson knows full well the commitment and focused mindset needed to succeed on a demanding tour, and tries to steer Smith in the right direction. Anderson is trying to steer Smith towards a successful career Darts-wise the boy has done it all himself, Anderson said about Smith, another member of Team Unicorn. I cant even pick a fault with his game. Ive said it for years how good the boy is and youll know what I mean if he finds his feet on the stage.I can only help him go down the right roads. Over 20 years, you learn, you watch, you listen, you see things. I just keep him on the straight roads. Ive been on the road a long time now - 20 years. If I dont know my stuff by now, I never will. Gary Anderson After Ive played darts at the weekend, its back to the hotel, something to eat, youre in the room by about six o clock at night. There are no late nights or anything like that. Were there to work.Ive been on the road a long time now - 20 years. If I dont know my stuff by now, I never will. I always do my best to help people out, but you can only tell them. If they listen, they listen. If they dont, they dont.Anderson missed the opening week of the Premier League due to a debilitating virus and fellow-Scot Robert Thornton has also struggled with illness during the campaign.With the relentless demands of the tour, the players spend much of their week on the road, and Anderson insists the unsettled lifestyle is not conducive to a healthy regime. Anderson fires a World Championship nine-darter against Jelle Klaasen We are all athletes, were all ripped with six packs and muscles, he joked.dddddddddddd Youve got to remember, while youre on your bed sleeping, were travelling. Im in the car driving six or seven hundred miles.At three o clock in the morning, thats when you have your dinner and its not the best thing to be eating at that time. It takes a lot out of you. You can only try to keep fit. Youre away six days out of seven, so its quite hard to get that regime going.A growing television audience witnesses the changing fortunes of the top stars and Anderson regularly locks horns with the likes of world No 1 Michael van Gerwen and the resurgent Phil Taylor.Even a world champion must endure painful defeats, but Anderson will continue the defence of his trophies with a smile on his face. The 45-year-old retains his burning desire for competition There are times when I didnt enjoy playing darts and it was a struggle, he said. But Im back enjoying it. Put in the work and if youre enjoying it, to me that makes a difference.If youre up there doing something that you dont want to do, or dont like, its going to be a struggle. Just enjoy it, even if youre taking it serious, still enjoy it. Of course you get upset if you get beat, but dont let that put you off.Gary Anderson has signed a new deal with Unicorn Darts, which will take their partnership past the 10-year mark. Also See: Sky: PL night eight PL night seven: Talking Points ' ' '