The development of artificial grass surfaces (designated ‘Football Turf’ by FIFA) that replicate the
playing qualities of good quality natural grass has led to the rapid acceptance of the surfaces by the
football world. Manufacturers are producing surfaces that provide a credible alternative solution to
parts of the world where climate or resources make the provision of good quality natural grass pitches
difficult or impossible. Similarly, the development of Football Turfs has provided a potential solution
to facility operators wishing to maximise the use of their facilities through community use and those
struggling with stadium microclimates that make the maintenance and growth of natural grass
difficult.
To ensure these new forms of playing surface replicate the playing qualities of good quality natural
grass; provide a playing environment that will not increase the risk of injury to players; are of
adequate durability (providing they are adequately maintained) FIFA developed the FIFA Quality
Programme for Football Turf. Launched in 2001 the Quality Programme is a rigorous test programme
for Football Turf that assesses the ball-surface interaction, player-surface interaction and durability
of products and allows successful manufacturers to enter into a licensing programme for the use of
the prestigious FIFA QUALITY (formerly FIFA RECOMMENDED) marks.
Football Turf was endorsed for official competitive matches in July 2004. The International Football
Association Board included the option of using artificial turf surfaces meeting the FIFA Quality
Programme for Football Turf in the Laws of the Game. To service the need of professional clubs and
International Stadia further, FIFA introduced a second category geared specifically towards the
demands of the professional game (FIFA QUALITY PRO, formerly FIFA TWO STAR). The broader
category (FIFA QUALITY, former FIFA ONE STAR) has wider bands of acceptability as it is geared
towards durability and safety for more intense use at community level. Both categories are entitled
to host international matches subject to the relevant competition rules.
The laboratory test programme that a Football Turf must satisfy as part of the FIFA Quality
Programme includes a programme of simulated use to assess the ability of a surface to perform for
a minimum period of time. The degree of simulated use undertaken on FIFA QUALITY PRO
compliant products is designed to replicate low to moderate levels of use often found on football
specific stadium fields; whilst the degree of simulated use undertaken on FIFA QUALITY compliant
products is designed to replicate the higher levels of use found on training and community fields.
Potential installers of Football Turf fields should note, however, that experience has shown fields
subjected to excessively high intensity use may not be able to retain the demanding performance
criteria of the FIFA Quality Programme for the life of the playing surface. Failure to undertake
adequate maintenance will also reduce the period of time a field may satisfy the requirements of the
FIFA Quality Programme.
