The use of artificial turf in professional football has come under the spotlight after three-quarters of Scottish league players said they would rather play on deteriorating grass than a 3G pitch.
A survey carried out by the Scottish Professional Football Association (PFA) found that 73 per cent of the 705 players questioned would rather play on a poor natural surface, while 72 per cent claimed that artificial surfaces are more likely to cause an injury.
“The purpose of the 3G Pro Player Survey was to give professional footballers in Scotland the opportunity to voice their opinion on artificial turf versus natural grass,” PFA player liaison Stuart Lovell told
Sports Management.
“Our members are the ones directly affected by clubs’ choice of playing surface so it is crucial they are aware of players’ views on such an emotive subject. The results speak for themselves and should be taken seriously by those holding positions of influence within the game. When it comes to comparing different playing surfaces, no-one should forget the players are the experts.”
The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) – which represents Scotland’s 42 professional clubs – declined to comment, although it is understood that none of its members have raised 3G pitches as an issue to date.
Of Scotland’s 42 clubs, 12 now have artificial 3G pitches installed at their home stadium, including Premiership sides Hamilton Academicals and Kilmarnock.
Scottish Championship teams Alloa Athletic, Falkirk and Queen of the South; Airdrieonians, Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir of League One; and League Two’s Annan Athletic, Clyde, East StIrlingshire and Montrose are the other clubs with 3G pitches.
When players were asked which level of the professional game 3G pitches should be allowed, 72 per cent said that only the bottom three division (Championship, League One and League Two) should permit artificial turf, while almost a third (30 per cent) said there should be no 3G pitches at any professional level.
In addition, 70 per cent of players said natural grass offered the best playing surface consistency, while 71 per cent claimed that it took longer for their body to recover from playing a match on artificial pitches.
SPFL rules state that all artificial surfaces being laid at professional football grounds must comply with FIFA’ s Recommended Two Star Standard, which has been renamed as the FIFA Quality Pro – the highest level of attainment for a pitch.
