Dunfermline lose SPL pitch vote


Dunfermline Athletic have lost the first round of their battle to retain a synthetic surface for next season.

The Scottish Premier League clubs voted 9-3 to back a Dundee United motion to give the league's executive board the power of veto.

It means that the Pars must apply by 31 March for permission to use their current surface next season.

But United and Rangers make up two of the five-man board and are strongly against artificial surfaces.

Hibernian appear to be in favour of artificial surfaces.

However, Kilmarnock, the remaining member of the board on which SPL chairman Lex Gold has a casting vote, have also expressed reservations.

The board will give a decision by 1 July at the la-*test*-('"), but Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston says he remains optimistic that the club will be allowed to retain their artificial surface.

"I am encouraged that a lot of clubs seem to realise that plastic pitches are the way forward and Uefa, Fifa and the SFA are behind them," said Yorkston.


"With the SPL board now having the decision, Dundee United and Rangers have to vote in the best interests of the league, not their clubs. They have to go in with an open mind so I have not given up hope."

But Yorkston admits it could be costly for the club if they have to revert to grass.

"It will cost us close to £400,000 to lay a new pitch and lose us £200,000 in revenue," he added.

"But we have had worse situations in the last two years and we have come through that."

Dunfermline only required Uefa approval to be allowed to install their first - and now heavily criticised - artificial pitch, which was part of an experiment funded by Europe's governing body.

In a week when Uefa gave the green light for the use of synthetic pitches in the Champions League and Uefa Cup, Dunfermline have started laying a replacement surface.

Fifa turf consultant Dr Eric Harrison rejected suggestions that artificial surfaces are more dangerous than grass.

''The research also showed that there are more minor injuries on artificial surfaces - but more serious injuries on grass," he said.