PREMIERSHIP CLUBS CALL OFF PLASTIC PITCH VOTE AS LOWER LEAGUE CLUBS DEMAND BAN 'COMPROMISE'

Top flight clubs have reportedly put a vote on banning plastic pitches from the Scottish Premiership on hold.

The vote had been set to take place at next month’s SPFL general meeting with a resolution to be drawn up ahead of clubs next getting together at Hampden on April 24. However, the Daily Mail report that a decision has now been pushed with a group of lower-league clubs calling for a "compromise agreement" over the plans. Falkirk, Airdrie, Raith Rovers and Hamilton Accies are said to be involved in the group alongside Cove Rangers and Montrose.

The SPFL's Competitions Working Group - chaired by Aberdeen's director of football Steven Gunn - drew up a resolution which would reportedly have been on put to a "show of hands" at the general meeting. However, an agreement is said to have been reached that discussions will be held next month with lower league clubs next month who are "most likely" to be impact by the ban.

Kilmarnock and Livingston are currently the only two top flight clubs who play on a plastic pitch but the Ayrshiremen plan on returning to a grass surface at Rugby Park by season 2025/26. Livingston face relegation from the top flight this term, while promotion-chasing Raith Rovers and Airdrie are the only two clubs in the Championship who play on plastic.

15 of the 20 clubs in League One and Two all having synthetic surfaces which are a valuable source of income. However, the report notes they "have already received assurances that any ban would only apply to the Premiership."

2024-04-20T07:46:02Z dg43tfdfdgfd