In recent months, FIFA and UEFA have been collaborating to establish a set of unified standards for testing artificial turf football pitches.  With these efforts now having reached a successful conclusion, the “FIFA Quality Concept Handbook of Test Methods and Requirements for Artificial Football Surfaces” will be released on 1 March 2005. 

This complete, new FIFA artificial turf testing manual has been published under the auspices of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf and will be available as of 1 March on both the FIFA and UEFA websites:

http://www.fifa.com/en/development/pitch/index.html

http://www.uefa.com/Uefa/index.html

The manual clearly explains the procedures for all of the tests that are carried out in the laboratory as well as on the field itself to ensure the development of higher and more uniform standards for artificial surfaces.

A reference to artificial turf surfaces was first introduced in the Laws of the Game by the International Football Association Board in February 2004. Last July, FIFA, world football’s governing body, followed suit by approving the use of artificial turf pitches in various competitions including the qualifiers for the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™.

This new FIFA RECOMMENDED 2 STAR standard replaces the existing FIFA RECOMMENDED 2 STAR standard and the UEFA standard, and comes into force on 1 March 2005.

A joint technical working group will ensure the ongoing development of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artificial Turf. Moreover, FIFA and UEFA will work together on further medical research into the biomechanical and dermatological effects of artificial turf on players.

Further information from:

FIFA Media Department
Telephone: +41-43/222 7272 – Telefax: +41-43/222 7373 – E-mail: media@fifa.org
FIFA Communications Department / Zurich, 28 February 2005 / 2005-25-FIFA Quality Concept.E.doc