June 20 (Reuters) - Women representing their nations to qualify for the soccer World Cup are risking their safety on poor quality pitches, and many are playing for no pay, according to a poll released on Tuesday by the global body that represents players.
Nearly 30% of international women soccer players polled for the FIFPRO report said that they have been playing for nothing, while two-thirds said they had to take unpaid leave from their jobs to represent their country in confederation championships.
"FIFPRO firmly calls on the industry to take a closer look at the qualification processes in each of the six Confederations."
FIFPRO also called for all six confederations to hold separate qualifying matches for the Women's World Cup.
Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York Editing by Peter Graff Editing by Peter GraffOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
FIFPRO, Mallory Swanson, Janine Beckie, Leah Williamson, Amy Tennery, Peter Graff
Organizations:
Confederations, UEFA, Thomson
Locations:
Australia, New Zealand, England, New York