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Artificial pitch in ArenA sooner than expected


	The Amsterdam Arena, home of Ajax. (Photo: Ajax USA)

17 July: There is a reasonable chance that the Amsterdam ArenA will have an artificial pitch sooner than expected, probably even this season. The KNVB has sent a letter to all Dutch clubs in which they ask whether they have any objection to playing on an artificial surface. The clubs have to respond before the 18th of August, but the KNVB doesn't think there will be any objections, because 'more and more clubs train and play friendlies on artificial grass.' Spokesman De Leede doesn't think that the UEFA will have any problems with artificial grass either: "The UEFA likes the idea of a pilot project such as there will be in the ArenA."

The management of the Amsterdam ArenA stated that unexpected technical developments have made it possible that soccer will have an artificial pitch sooner than one thought. The management of the ArenA say it is likely that the ArenA will have its artificial pitch already in February 2002. In an earlier stage the management did not expect to have such a pitch within the next two or three years.

Ajax' general manager Arie van Eijden doesn't want to name any dates. "People talk about January, but first of all Ajax wants to investigate everything very closely. For example: first we want to replace the artificial training pitch at De Toekomst with the new artificial grass, and then we want to play some test games on it too."

But Van Eijden is pleased with the developments: "Long ago the UEFA and the FIFA brought a study group into being to examine the possibilities and impossibilities of playing soccer on an artificial pitch. Out of all these investigations a special fibre has been developed.

"A few companies guaranteed a better soccer pitch with this fibre than with real grass. This is very essential for Ajax. On the new pitch the specific characteristics of soccer have to be the main thing. Besides that the safety of the players is important too. Players have to able to make a sliding without getting injured."

If the Dutch clubs are willing to play on the artificial pitch in the ArenA, the UEFA will give its permission too. And if the calculations of management of the ArenA are right, Ajax and Feyenoord probably will meet each other in March on artificial grass. (BV)

(sources: Ajax.nl, Teletekst, De Telegraaf)