Palmeiras: Neymar’s Campaign Against Artificial Turf Lacks Scientific Basis
Palmeiras, a Brazilian top-flight football club, has stated that there is no scientific basis for the claims made by Neymar, Thiago Silva, and Memphis Depay, who were among a group of players campaigning against playing matches on artificial turf in Brazil.
Palmeiras, along with reigning champions Botafogo and relegated Atlético Paranaense, are among the clubs that use artificial turf. The high costs of investment and maintenance have led clubs worldwide to adopt artificial pitches.
Many English Premier League clubs use hybrid pitches that combine natural and artificial grass, as fully artificial turf fields are not permitted.
Last year, Scottish Premiership clubs voted to ban artificial turf starting from the 2026-2027 season.
The players released a joint statement on Tuesday, saying: “It is concerning to see the direction Brazilian football is taking. It is absurd that we are even discussing playing on artificial turf in our stadiums. Given the size and reputation of our football, this should not even be an option… In the most respected leagues in the world, players’ opinions are heard, and investments are made to ensure pitch quality.”
The statement continued: “If Brazil wants to play a leading role globally, the first step is to demand high-quality pitches for players to train and compete on. Professional football matches should not be played on artificial turf.”
Palmeiras responded by stating that while discussions on pitch quality in Brazil are crucial, the issue cannot be resolved through “superficial criticism lacking a scientific foundation.”
The São Paulo-based club added that its artificial pitch is certified by FIFA and undergoes annual reviews since its implementation in 2020 to ensure it meets the same standards as natural grass fields and remains in excellent condition.
“There is no scientific evidence that the risk of injury on artificial pitches is higher than on natural grass,” Palmeiras stated. “Various studies have shown that our top-flight team has had lower injury rates over the past five years.”
