FIFA quality concept for artificial turf

The pitch is a crucial element of the game and in an ideal world and an ideal climate there is no better football playing surface than grass. These include among other things the best playing characteristics and acceptance at all levels of football. However, in adverse weather conditions the use of these pitches is limited and the performance suffers. The answer is being found in the form of artificial turf. Manufacturers have developed a new generation of artificial turf that mirrors real grass.

“As the game’s worldwide governing body, we have the responsibility to support any move to improve football equipment,” says Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA. In line with this commitmentand in response to the growing trend to play football on artificial surfaces, the FIFA Quality Concept has been expanded to artificial turf in 2001.

2.1 Artificial Turf
The following two cases demonstrate the need for a change in thinking about artificial surfaces:

Climatic Conditions
Many regions of the world suffer from extreme climatic conditions and as a result are often without adequate natural grass pitches. Either the climate makes the growth and care for such fields a burden or the financial resources are limited. Furthermore, the demand on these pitches is quite high and the resulting mix often leaves the pitches in poor condition. The advantage of artificial turf in these regions is more than evident.

Stadia Microclimate
Stadium construction is often influenced by the need to adjust designs for the installation of natural grass for international football. Natural grass needs sufficient sunlight, wind and rain to adequately grow and thrive. However, the trend to build stadia with roofs and terraces for additional spectator comfort creates an environment better suited to artificial turf. The newest generation of artificial surfaces combines the advantages of similar playing characteristics as natural turf, including increased player comfort and safety, with low maintenance and extended usage.

This project reflects FIFA’s goal to standardize and control football equipment and to ensure the safety of footballers together with developments in the sporting goods industry.

The FIFA Quality Concept is a rigorous test programme for artificial surfaces whereby successful manufacturers will be able to enter into a licensing programme for the use of the prestigious FIFA Recommended Marks. Synthetic turf for football pitches exist in various technical versions and not all of them are advantageous to the quality of the game or to a player’s health. Therefore, only artificial turf of the best quality with the highest technical standards would be able to gain a FIFA Recommended endorsement.

The scheme is in operation since more than three years and over 80 FIFA Recommended pitches are installed worldwide. Many of these pitches are owned by municipalities, which recognise that an artificial pitch can be hired out almost 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Equally, major clubs, like Ajax Amsterdam, Glasgow Rangers, Boca Juniors, Deportivo La Coru a and FC Porto, have installed FIFA Recommended artificial pitches as a central component in their training facilities.

Bigger and bigger stadia are taking the major step of laying an artificial turf pitch, including the Finnair (T  l ) Stadium in Helsinki that was hosting ten matches, including  the final, of the first major tournament, the FIFA U-17 World Championship, played on an artificial surface in 2003.

FIFA is responding to this development by introducing a segmented FIFA Recommended system with two quality levels as of 1 July 2004 which reflects the market situation. The creation of a second, more stringent standard, based on the results of an extensive research program, including player’s feedback and medical research, will further improve playability and safety.

2.2 Scoring Chances for all

Manufacturers profit from the reliability and credibility of the FIFA Quality Mark.

Players, coaches and club officials benefit from the playability of the newest generation of artificial turf; criteria based on the performance characteristics of natural grass. The transition from natural grass to artificial turf should be as smooth as possible. Sliding tackles can be carried out without hesitation on the newest generation of artificial turf. The risk of friction burns is minimal. Also, according to claims from the manufacturers players may use the same  footwear on both surfaces. No special shoes or studs are needed for football on artificial surfaces of the newest generation.

National associations and confederations can rest assured that only those surfaces specifically suited to top-flight football will qualify for the FIFA Recommended Mark. This quality control provides a starting point for those parties who wish to open their competitions to artificial turf of the newest generation. We believe the technological developments in the field of artificial turf and the superior quality of the new designs makes it necessary to, if not promote, at least encourage the use of artificial surfaces in climates where natural grass is not an economic or environmental option.

This document outlines the key elements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf.