Football’s English Premier League has banned clubs from implementing elaborate pitch designs for the 2017-18 season.
The Premier League said in a statement that “pitch patterns and designs” would no longer be permitted, with surfaces now required to contain no markings other than traditional horizontal and white lines.
The change brings league rules in line with European governing body Uefa’s regulations for its competitions. The amendment has been made following consultation with Premier League groundsmen.
Wondering how @adgray13 and his team could top last weekend’s pitch design? Here’s the answer… #saintsfc pic.twitter.com/8WxZYn5m70
— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) May 1, 2014
In recent seasons, clubs such as Leicester City and Southampton have caught the eye with out-of-the-ordinary pitch designs.
Leicester’s groundsmen wove the club’s crest into the centre circle of the pitch at the King Power Stadium, while Southampton trialled a crater-like design.
Pitch patterns… Fun while it lasted! ? pic.twitter.com/6ZCNdMQlZ9
— Leicester City (@LCFC) August 3, 2017
Leicester took to social media to react to the news, tweeting a picture of the crest-based design and the message: “Pitch patterns… Fun while it lasted!”
The Premier League season gets underway on August 11 when Arsenal host Leicester.
IMAGE: Leicester City FC
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