Following the African Cup of Nations, FIFA boss Sepp Blatter started to push the idea of installing artificial turf throughout Africa, including at the 2010 World Cup — an announcement which made many a football fan wonder, “Gee, I wonder which of his relatives bought stock in Tarkett Inc.” Said Blatter:
“I’ve followed with a lot of interest most of the matches of this competition, and I have to say that African football is at a very high level. What I’ve not not liked so much is the turf, especially in Accra – the grass is too high.
“Artificial turf is a solution to the owners of stadiums – you can use it more than just once a week, you can use it for other sports. I think it’s better than uneven ground, where control of the ball not easy.”
Tell me about it…
It’s actually kind of funny to hear Blatter concede that FieldTurf might be an option for the World Cup, the biggest competition in any football code, yet the Pittsburgh Steelers insist on playing in the mud pit that is Heinz Field. Imagine soccer on a playing surface where the ball gets stuck in more than the players. If that had happened in Africa, we wouldn’t be looking so askew at Blatter over his remarks, would we?
Still, the pitches in South Africa can’t be that bad, can they? Does the idea of FieldTurf at the World Cup seem over the top? Or are we all just overreacting because we’re scared that the biggest games will be played on surfaces that look like this?
Personally, I’d like to see the Steelers install a jet black FieldTurf surface at Heinz Field, just because it would be awesome, but I’m pretty sure that will never happen. They’re too afraid Ben Roethlisberger would throw right at the 10-yard line, assuming it was a wide-open Santonio Holmes.
2 responses so far ↓
1 joejoejoe // Feb 12, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Hah. My first thought when I heard this was “Blatter must have a stake in the artificial turf business”.
I really don’t have a problem with synthetic turf at the elite fields in Africa if it’s got lower long term maintenance costs but a well maintained dirt or clay field is always going to be cheaper for grassroots soccer.
Note: the Ghana pitch wasn’t THAT bad. IMHO it’s just whining from spoiled players. The pitch is the same for both teams. You hear the same complaints from golfers complaining about the length of greens and the rough. Just play and shut up. It’s the same for everyone.
2 Frank // Feb 18, 2008 at 2:23 am
The syntheic grass is good and safe for sportsman .It is a very nice Post !!