Wambach, players drop complaint over use of turf at 2015 Women's World Cup

A group of prominent international players, led by American star striker Abby Wambach, has withdrawn their complaint over the use of artificial turf at the upcoming Women's World Cup in Canada.

The players filed a complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario claiming the planned surfaces for the event discriminated based on gender, because men have always played on natural grass at the World Cup.

The complaint named FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association, but both organizations made it abundantly clear throughout the process that they had no intention of resurfacing the six stadiums across Canada that will host matches beginning in June.

"Our legal action has ended. But I am hopeful that the players' willingness to contest the unequal playing fields - and the tremendous public support we received during the effort - marks the start of even greater activism to ensure fair treatment when it comes to women's sports," Wambach said in a statement quoted by the Associated Press.

The likes of American forward Alex Morgan and German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer had joined the complaint. It also gained support from several celebrities, including Tom Hanks and NBA star Kobe Bryant.

Despite not accomplishing their ultimate goal, a lawyer for the women said the public awareness raised by the complaint was a positive to be drawn from the suit.

"The players' united, international effort to protest discrimination has had a positive impact," said Hampton Dellinger in a statement quoted by ESPN. "The deplorable artificial surface at BC Place, the site of the final, will be replaced. Goal-line 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."