TORONTO - The stalemate continues over artificial turf at the 2015 Womens World Cup with the Canadian Soccer Association rejecting an offer of early mediation. Jason Dickinson Stars Jersey .The Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario had proposed the mediation to provide the parties with an opportunity to resolve the matter in a timely way. Adjudicator Jo-Anne Pickel made the offer Friday after turning down a request from a group of elite players for an expedited hearing on their legal challenge.Pickel said in her interim decision that both the women and CSA had indicated in their filings that they would be willing to go to mediation.A lawyer for the women quickly confirmed its willingness to take part in mediation. But the CSA, in keeping with FIFAs position that there is no Plan B to using artificial turf, subsequently declined.The CSA did not deny its position had changed. Its position Friday was there is no need for mediation since the complaint itself has no merit.Either the tribunal was misled by CSA or it was mistaken in a fundamental way that clearly requires revisiting the players request to expedite, Hampton Dellinger, lawyer for the players, said in statement Friday evening. Whichever is the case, we will ask the tribunal to reconsider its decision not to hear the application on a fast-track basis.The tribunals decision was based on a false assumption that CSA was willing to join the players at the negotiating table. Clearly that is not the case. A hearing on the merits is now more important than ever.American star Abby Wambach and a group of other elite female players lodged their complaint Oct. 1, arguing that forcing them to play on artificial turf was discriminatory since men play their showcase event on natural grass.The CSA rejects that claim, saying the world governing body of soccer sanctions playing on artificial turf as long as it meets certain standards. FIFA, meanwhile, has argued that artificial turf makes sense for Canadas climate while suggesting a mens World Cup could be played on approved turf sooner rather than later.In filing the turf complaint, lawyers for the players asked to fast-track proceedings so arguments could be heard by Nov. 26 in order to have enough time to install grass surfaces by the June 6 start of the 24-country tournament.The CSA, which doubles as the tournaments national organizing committee, opposed the request. It argued both that the claim had no merit and the players had dragged their feet in filing it. With no mediation and no fast-tracked hearing, the complaint will presumably wind its way through the human rights tribunal calendar. For the CSA and FIFA, no doubt out of sight is out of mind.FIFA has not actively taken part in the legal proceedings.In her interim decision on Wambach vs. Canadian Soccer Association, Pickel said there were factors on both sides of the argument, noting that the tournament is fast approaching and installation of natural grass would take time.But given the jurisdictional complexity of the case, Pickel said she doubted whether even an expedited hearing might result in a timely decision.Pickel also agreed with the CSA that the players had not acted expeditiously in filing heir complaint, given that artificial turf had long been part of the tournament plans.It must be remembered that an expedited application is given priority for Tribunal resources over all other matters currently before the Tribunal, she wrote. What the applicants are in effect requesting is that the Tribunal give their application priority over all the many other applications that have been filed with the Tribunal alleging violations of the (Human Rights) Code.Earlier in the day, a group of 13 U.S. senators sent a letter to FIFA and U.S. Soccer in support of the female players.Led by Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the lawmakers signed letters sent Friday to FIFA and the U.S. Soccer Federation in support of players who say that holding the World Cup on artificial turf amounts to gender discrimination because men play soccers premier tournament on real grass.The 12 Democrat and one Republican lawmakers urge soccers international governing body to reconsider this short-sighted and counterproductive decision.Currently ranked first in the world, the United States womens national soccer team has made our country proud time and time again, the letter addressed to FIFA president Sepp Blatter says. As members of the United States Senate, we are deeply concerned with FIFAs treatment of these players. We urge you to begin good faith negotiations with these athletes, free of retaliation and with the equal treatment that they deserve.———With files from The Associated Press.———Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter. Miro Heiskanen Jersey . -- Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew practiced in a limited capacity Friday, a positive sign he might be able to play against the Tennessee Titans. John Klingberg Jersey . - Playing a road game against a division rival raises the intensity for linebacker Clay Matthews. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/brian-bellows-hockey-jersey/ .S. international midfielder Michael Bradley is complete.CALABAR, Nigeria -- Nigeria qualified for the World Cup on Saturday, continuing an outstanding year for the African champion after it claimed the continental title for the first time in nearly two decades. Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Its the teams second straight World Cup. "President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan heartily congratulates the Super Eagles of Nigeria," a statement from the Nigerian leaders office said. While Nigeria sealed a place at its fifth World Cup out of the last six, Ethiopia was trying to qualify for the first time after unexpectedly reaching the playoffs ahead of 2010 host South Africa. But trailing 2-1 from its home leg, Ethiopia gave away an early penalty when Aynalem Hailu was penalized inside 20 mminutes after the ball bounced up off his chest and hit his arm. Jon Casey Stars Jersey. Moses slotted the spot kick and Obinna scored with eight minutes to go and soon after arriving as a substitute. Nigeria claimed the first of five African places at next years tournament, and was followed by Ivory Coast later on Saturday. Africas top-ranked team beat Senegal 4-2 on aggregate after falling behind and then scoring right at the death for a 1-1 draw in the decisive leg of their playoff in neutral Morocco. In the three remaining African playoffs, Cameroon and Tunisia are level after a 0-0 draw in Tunisia and Burkina Faso leads Algeria 3-2 ahead of their second-leg games on Sunday. Burkina Faso is also seeking to make its World Cup debut. Egypt hosts Ghana on Tuesday needing a major upset to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1990 after Ghana won the first leg 6-1. If Cameroon, Algeria and Ghana also qualify, Africa will be represented by the same five teams that made it to South Africas World Cup. ' ' '