Football League To Meet Over Artificial Pitches
The Football League has announced plans to seek opinion on the possibility of artificial pitches making a return to the Football League – 23 years after the Football Association originally banned them in 1988.
The public consultation will run until the end of April, canvassing views from clubs, fans and officials, as well as bodies such as the Football Association, the Premier League, The Professional Footballers’ Association and the League Managers Association.
The Football League has released a 32-page consultation document on its website, and fans can also take part in an online survey.
The aim is to gather as much information as possible before the League’s summer conference, which is scheduled to take place between 29th May and 1st June.
The last remaining artificial surface in the top four divisions, at Preston North End’s Deepdale, was ripped up in 1994 – however, advances in technology, as well as the benefit both financially and in the community, has led to the League reconsidering its stance.
In 2004, FIFA and UEFA, world and European football governing bodies respectively, have sanctioned the use of artificial surfaces in their competitions.
