Steven Gerrard wants ban of ‘dangerous’ plastic pitches in Scotland
Rangers’ manager Steven Gerrard says Scottish football must listen to its players and ban „dangerous“ plastic pitches.
Union chiefs from PFA Scotland revealed on Thursday every player from the nine top-flight clubs with grass surfaces signed a petition to the SPFL calling for synthetic surfaces to be outlawed in the Scottish Premiership.
The move is expected to face resistance by Kilmarnock, Hamilton and Livingston – the three top-flight clubs who play on an artificial surface.
Gerrard, a staunch critic of plastic pitches, lost Jamie Murphy to a serious knee injury on Killie’s Rugby Park pitch in August and the former Liverpool captain says they also hindering prospective arrivals to the Scottish game.
„I agree with the majority of the players in terms of trying to get them out of the game at the elite level,“ Gerrard said.
„I’ve given my opinion on this before. I don’t like plastic pitches, I didn’t like playing on them. I think they’re dangerous.
„I respect the teams that have put them in place for financial reasons – but for me having been a player and now being a coach, I believe the game would be in a better place if there was no plastic pitches.
„The people who don’t agree with taking them out of the game need to think about the players, their health and safety. My opinion is that players are a lot safer on grass.“
Kilmarnock boss Steve Clarke revealed the club would keep with the plastic pitch surface for next season for financial reasons but Gerrard believes even their players would rather play on grass.
„I respect financial reasons clubs have,“ he said. „I’m not saying those owners should dig deep and find the money to do without these pitches.
„But I believe the people who run this league should do more to make sure it’s played on grass.
„These games are going out worldwide. We’re trying to attract top players to the league and improve the standard. Every other elite league plays on grass, so why shouldn’t Scotland?
„I’m sure there are different ways, whether it be TV, the PFA, the SFA or bigger clubs trying to support other clubs. I’d be all for that because I think football at the top level should be played on grass.
„Even when it comes to your Hamiltons and your Kilmarnocks, I think if you ask their players away from their owners I believe they would rather play on grass than plastic.“
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