Pars refute pitch injury claims

The pitch at East End Park has been much criticised

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has rejected claims that synthetic pitches pose an increased injury threat.

The 12 SPL clubs meet on Thursday to vote on the future of artificial playing surfaces as the Pars hope to install a new one at East End Park.

"The indications are that injuries are actually fewer," said Yorkston.

"We do not have a big squad, and of the six injuries we have had that saw players out for a month or more, four were picked up in away matches."

Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson has tabled a motion that would see artificial pitches banned from the top flight.

And Rangers manager Alex McLeish has suggested that clubs who used them could end up being sued by players who picked up injuries on the surface.

But Yorkston refutes suggestions that the pitches are dangerous.

And he asked: "Do people honestly think we would be training on the pitch every day of the week if that was the case?"

Paul Hassin, sales director for Dunfermline's pitch supplier XL Turf, backed up Yorkston's claims.

"Our statistics show that our surface could actually be safer than grass," he said.

"Uefa-approved figures comparing Dunfermline's injuries both on grass and on the artificial surface for the 2003 season show that there were fewer injuries on the artificial pitch.

"The new artificial turf we are putting down at Dunfermline has been designed to be less abrasive and softer than the old pitch and will offer increased grip and improved traction.

"Artificial pitch technology is moving forward all the time."