Pitch verdict goes against Pars

East End Park has a synthetic playing surface

The Scottish Premier League board has voted to outlaw the synthetic surface at Dunfermline for next season.

A statement from the SPL revealed that the decision was a unanimous one but said they would work with Uefa and Fifa to develop future artificial pitches.

Dunfermline are £7m in debt and have said it would cost them in the region of £200,000 to replace the pitch.

The latest surface was installed in March and the club may now consider an appeal to the Scottish FA.

Pars chairman John Yorkston said: "We will have to wait for the written explanation and then consult lawyers on what course of action to take and whether we go to the SFA or the courts.

"We think this is a wrong decision because Uefa, Fifa and the SFA all think this is the way forward.

"These surfaces are improving all the time but some of the (grass) pitches here are a disgrace to play football on as they are covered in bumps or mud."

Last month the SPL board heard representations from Uefa, Fifa and a delegation from the Fife club in defence of the surface.

SPL executive chairman Lex Gold was joined by Dundee United's Eddie Thompson, Rangers' John McCelland, Hibernian's Rod Petrie and Kilmarnock's Jamie Moffat on the board.

And they have now ruled against the use of the pitch in the top flight.

Dunfermline first installed an artificial pitch as part of a Uefa experiment, but their surface received much criticism.

They installed an improved version in March, but a recent SPL decision introduced a new rule forcing the club to apply for permission to use it next season.

All arguments could become academic if Dunfermline, presently bottom of the SPL, are relegated.