The state of so many pitches in this country has been appaling this season, so why not go for this?

THE much-maligned artificial football pitches could be set for a comeback, after Fifa have approved their re-introduction. The world governing body has undertaken extensive research into new technology that has produced pitches that have a natural bounce of the ball and are able to take a full screw-in football stud.

The plastic pitches in England that popped up at QPR, Luton Town, Preston and Oldham came under heavy criticism from visiting teams for giving them an unfair advantage as the game totally change pace, but the new surfaces are said to be much better.

The amount of games that can be played on artificial ground is an advantage that Fifa are impressed with. Countries where the climate, or the finance is not conducive to grass pitches will welcome a high-usage, low-maintenance surface.

"The perception of artificial turf is changing around the world," said Fifa general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen.

"While we would always prefer to play on a natural surface, the introduction of good artificial pitches in countries where the climate and financial resources demand it is a welcome idea.

"The quality of many of the surfaces produced with the technology available cannot be ignored.

With so many games being played, but many being postponed due to the weather, a surface that is playable in all conditions, could appeal to clubs who cannot afford under-soil heating or pitch protection against the elements.

The first pitches to be given the "Fifa recommended seal of approval" will be installed before the end of the year.

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Answers

it'll change the excuses that spout from losing managers

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Sod off! Turf luck!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

One of our newly redundant groundsmen turned on the undersoil heating and melted it...

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Do we need more injury problems with friction burns?!

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

Well that Marcia crocked for another season

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

I think it's a very good idea .

-- Anonymous, March 21, 2001

No no no, not in a million years.

There is plenty of research in the US that shows that there are three serious problems with all of the versions of artificial turf.

First, it significantly increases serious knee injuries. Once the foot is planted, artificial turf grips it tightly in place, as opposed to grass which will let the foot twist or slide. The result is that the knee bears the full effect of any 'unstoppable' upper body movement, eg through collisions or tackles, or even just a sudden change of direction, all too often causing complete disruption of the knee. The NFL regularly shows revolting film of these things happening in slow motion, all good clean fun except that the recipient may not walk unaided again.

Second, artificial turf causes many more head injuries than grass. It's so unyielding that when a player falls to the ground, the head will often bounce two or three times, multiplying the effect of both the impact on the head and the whiplash effect on the neck. The result is anything from concussion through dislocated vertebrae to brain injury. Just as well that our players have no discernible spinal tissue, eh Softie.

Third, unlike grass, artificial turf is completely unsuitable for smoking. Copyright Joe Namath, 1968. The old ones are still the best. Maybe.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

Thanks for that Bill. With our injury record this I'm surprised the medical staff at the club haven't recommended this surface to the club!! Just to make things that bit worse.

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001

They do have artificial turf at CLS. It's used for training when the regular pitches are frozen solid. DOH!

-- Anonymous, March 22, 2001