FIFA rules allow for tournaments to be played on artificial turf if it meets certain standards. But the men always play on the real thing at the World Cup. Turf will not be an issue at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, which plans to play on grass.
Why is FIFA using artificial turf fields during the World Cup?
There are many who have argued that FIFA’s decision to use artificial turf fields during the World Cup is for purely economical reasons. In other words, there is a belief that a turf field is much cheaper to implement than a grass field.
What is FIFA Quality for football turf?
The FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf operates a licensing scheme for companies that are committed to quality football turf pitches and fulfil a set of stringent The installation of a football turf pitch is a four-phase process.
Is artificial turf suitable for football?
The suitability of unfilled or sand-filled artificial turf systems for football has always been a matter of much debate and it was therefore only with the introduction of third-generation systems (3G), which include both sand and rubber infill, that the surfaces became a true alternative. Important documents (standards and manuals etc).
Why was the 2007 U-17 World Cup played on artificial turf?
Given that the synthetic turf presented no problems in this tournament, FIFA decided to make the 2007 U-17 World Cup in Peru entirely in artificial turf, claiming that “dry climate and occasional heavy rainfall” were the main reasons for choosing to use synthetic grass (“What Is Football Turf?”).
When did FIFA change the rules on artificial grass?
When did artificial turf start being used in soccer?
What are the different types of grass fields used in soccer?
How much does it cost to make a synthetic turf field?
What would happen if grass was used for the World Cup?
When did the EPL get rid of artificial turf?
What is Evergreen turf cover?
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About this website
Does FIFA use artificial turf?
It was in this context that FIFA recognised the potential of artificial turf for the further development of football. Due to its resistance to weather and more intense use, it is the best alternative to natural grass.
Does FIFA require natural grass?
Because FIFA, soccer's global governing body, has a firm requirement that any stadium hosting the 2026 World Cup must have a natural-grass playing surface, Mercedes-Benz Stadium's artificial turf would have to be temporarily replaced with real grass, which would have to be kept thriving for more than a month.
What grass is used in FIFA?
Platinum TE™ Paspalum Selected as Exclusive Turfgrass of FIFA World Cup 2022.
Do soccer players play on turf?
There is a reason why all top soccer leagues in Europe are played only in natural grass. You start seeing artificial grass at third division games, maybe. But mostly, soccer players play in natural grass. Also, it is important to know that all World Cups in history have, and probably will be played in grass.
Do footballers like turf?
Seventy-two percent of players prefer playing on natural grass and 15 percent favor infill systems; 11% had no prefer- ence and the others didn't respond. Nearly 62% thought playing on syn- thetic turf would negatively affect their health after their careers are over.
Is turf bad for soccer players?
Although there is some debate around the differences in turf and grass safety, the general consensus is that turf increases players' injury risk. One study found that the rate of ACL injuries increased by 45% on turf, largely due to cleats failing to grip to the artificial grass as they do on natural grass.
Does Premier League play on turf?
Premier League pitches do use real grass. However, the natural grass is commonly combined with artificial fibres. That mixture of real grass and artificial fibres keeps Premier League pitches in great condition throughout the year.
Is Camp Nou real grass?
The Camp Nou has used a hybrid grass since the 2016/17 season. This system complements 100% natural grass by offering better grip and a more stable playing surface throughout the year, thus conferring the ideal conditions for playing football.
Is Emirates Stadium real grass?
Some of the best known stadiums that use Desso Grassmaster include Chelsea's home ground Stamford Bridge, Everton's Goodison Park, St. James' Park in Newcastle, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium, Anfield, Villa Park and Old Trafford in Manchester.
Is grass safer than turf?
Specifically, players have a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower extremity injuries when playing on artificial turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries on turf and a staggering 69% higher rate of non-contact foot/ankle injuries on turf compared to grass.
Do professional athletes prefer turf or grass?
Professional athletes have consistently shown a preference for playing on real grass.
Is turf harder than grass?
Dorfman agrees, noting that ankle, knee and head injuries can be exacerbated on turf, which is a harder surface than grass.
Stage one – planning
A facility-planning exercise must be undertaken at the outset of any playing surface development project. A facility plan needs to identify clear project goals, establish the level of demand, and include detailed financial and operational planning. It should cover the following areas: the vision, the need, the money and the delivery.
Stage two – budgeting
Before undertaking the contractor selection process, it is vital that you have a target budget for project delivery.
Stage three – selecting a contractor
The contractor is selected through an “Invitation to Tender”, which invites companies to bid competitively to provide the required services based on the same criteria and timeframe.
Installation phase
The installation can roughly be divided into the following five areas:
Certification
In order to obtain FIFA certification for the artificial surface, the final pitch must pass a field test. This certification serves as proof that your surface fulfils the highest requirements for artificial football surfaces, and as such it should be linked to your warranty.
Maintenance
To protect your investment in a football turf pitch, maintenance is crucial. The need to maintain a football turf field is fundamental for reasons of:
How to become a football turf licensee
The necessary information has to be entered in the application document together with the additional references. The FIFA-accredited test institute submits the lab and field test reports directly to FIFA.
How to become a FIFA Preferred Provider
The FIFA Preferred Provider (FPP) initiative was introduced in 2009 in response to demand for higher quality, not only in the product itself but also in the installation process of football turf.
When did FIFA change the rules on artificial grass?
Due to the increasingly popularity of artificial turf fields, in 2004 the IFAB (International Football Association Board) came to an agreement where they included artificial grass into the official Laws of the Game. However, with this change, FIFA had to institute two standards of quality for artificial grass fields.
When did artificial turf start being used in soccer?
However, artificial turf only entered the professional soccer world in the 1980s, when English clubs such as Queen’s Park Rangers replaced their natural grass with artificial grass.
What are the different types of grass fields used in soccer?
Specifically for natural grass, there are three types of grass fields that can be implemented for soccer: natural soil fields, modified soil fields and soilless fields.
How much does it cost to make a synthetic turf field?
The average synthetic turf field can cost anywhere from $850,000 to $1,000,000 to implement. The top layer of the artificial turf is filled with small rubber pieces, made from recycled rubber from automotive and truck scrap tires, and is intended to provide cushioning to players (“Crumb Rubber”). Next, silicone-covered fibers are meant to replace grass, with curly fibers wrapped around them to help keep the silicone-covered ones upright. In addition, “hard, chipped rock material covers the sub-base that will drain water freely” ( Natural Grass and Artificial Turf 10). Because these materials tend to wear out over time, they must be replaced every 8-10 years for a cost of around $500,000 ( Natural Grass and Artificial Turf 10).
What would happen if grass was used for the World Cup?
If natural grass were used for the World Cup, FIFA could combat the cold weather by applying turf growth covers to help regenerate the grass. Some examples of premium turf covers offer the retention of “more natural heat and moisture while promoting deep root development” (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”).
When did the EPL get rid of artificial turf?
While many teams followed suit, in 1994 the EPL announced that all clubs had to get rid of their artificial turf as the quality of the grass was very poor. Not only that, but the EPL saw an increasing amount of injuries during those years where synthetic turf was allowed.
What is Evergreen turf cover?
They confirm that “ever green [turf covers] will protect your turf from wind desiccation, erosion, frost and winter kill” (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”). An example of a soccer field with an Evergreen turf growth cover (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”).
Why is turf important in football?
One of the benefits of football turf is the fact that the field can be used for all kinds of events without damaging the quality of the football pitch, provided that correct maintenance is available.
When was artificial turf invented?
Artificial turf has been around for decades and has been used in different sports – with varying degrees of success and intensity – since the first-generation turf of the 1960s.
What is the FIFA quality mark?
To identify football turf pitches, FIFA awards the FIFA QUALITY mark to pitches that meet the standard for community and amateur pitches, and the FIFA QUALITY PRO mark to pitches that ensure the highest playing performance for professional-level football. FIFA quality marks.
Why are grass pitches worn out?
Communities as well as amateur and professional clubs often face the problem of natural grass pitches getting worn out due to intense use. A lack of space and high investment and maintenance costs mean that they are unable to install additional natural grass pitches.
Why is research important in FIFA?
Research and development is a crucial part of the FIFA Quality Programme with the aim of continuously improving the quality of football turf, which is why FIFA conducts player surveys, perception studies and case studies in order to identify the players’ needs, to obtain scientific findings on the existing problems, and to improve and develop testing requirements for the standard.
Is football turf better than natural grass?
Artificial pitches do not require any sunlight and are therefore more cost -efficient in terms of running costs than natural grass.
Does grass need sunlight?
Grass often does not get all of the sunlight it needs, particularly in large football stadiums with steep and fully covered stands. To ensure that grass can grow towards the sunlight, time-intensive and costly maintenance methods, including infrared lighting, need to be used.
When did FIFA change the rules on artificial grass?
Due to the increasingly popularity of artificial turf fields, in 2004 the IFAB (International Football Association Board) came to an agreement where they included artificial grass into the official Laws of the Game. However, with this change, FIFA had to institute two standards of quality for artificial grass fields.
When did artificial turf start being used in soccer?
However, artificial turf only entered the professional soccer world in the 1980s, when English clubs such as Queen’s Park Rangers replaced their natural grass with artificial grass.
What are the different types of grass fields used in soccer?
Specifically for natural grass, there are three types of grass fields that can be implemented for soccer: natural soil fields, modified soil fields and soilless fields.
How much does it cost to make a synthetic turf field?
The average synthetic turf field can cost anywhere from $850,000 to $1,000,000 to implement. The top layer of the artificial turf is filled with small rubber pieces, made from recycled rubber from automotive and truck scrap tires, and is intended to provide cushioning to players (“Crumb Rubber”). Next, silicone-covered fibers are meant to replace grass, with curly fibers wrapped around them to help keep the silicone-covered ones upright. In addition, “hard, chipped rock material covers the sub-base that will drain water freely” ( Natural Grass and Artificial Turf 10). Because these materials tend to wear out over time, they must be replaced every 8-10 years for a cost of around $500,000 ( Natural Grass and Artificial Turf 10).
What would happen if grass was used for the World Cup?
If natural grass were used for the World Cup, FIFA could combat the cold weather by applying turf growth covers to help regenerate the grass. Some examples of premium turf covers offer the retention of “more natural heat and moisture while promoting deep root development” (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”).
When did the EPL get rid of artificial turf?
While many teams followed suit, in 1994 the EPL announced that all clubs had to get rid of their artificial turf as the quality of the grass was very poor. Not only that, but the EPL saw an increasing amount of injuries during those years where synthetic turf was allowed.
What is Evergreen turf cover?
They confirm that “ever green [turf covers] will protect your turf from wind desiccation, erosion, frost and winter kill” (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”). An example of a soccer field with an Evergreen turf growth cover (“Evergreen Premium Turf Covers”).
