To save this page to your bookmarks
On a Windows device: Windows key + D
On a Mac: CMD + D
On a mobile device: Look for the star icon
RegulationsRegulations for Football Turf Pitches
Regulations for the Use of Football Turf Pitches in FAW Competitions
Football Turf pitches may be used in FAW competitions subject to the following conditions:
1. The pitch is certified to the appropriate category of performance, as detailed below, and is listed on the FAW’s Register of Certified Football Turf Pitches.
Competition |
Category of certification |
Certification period |
||
Initial certification |
Subsequent certifications |
|||
JD Cymru Premier & JD Welsh Cup competitions from Round 1 |
FIFA Quality |
FIFA Quality |
3 years |
|
FAW Tier 2 and Tier 3, Adran Premier, FAW Women’s Cup from Quarter-Final |
FIFA Quality. |
FAW Quality StandardIn accordance with the FIFA Quality field test requirements other than: |
3 years |
|
Ball rebound |
0.60m – 1.20m |
|||
Ball roll |
4m – 14m |
|||
Surface Regularity |
No undulation greater than 12mm |
|||
All other domestic FAW and Area Association competitions |
FIFA Quality |
FAW Standard |
3 years |
|
UEFA competitions – all rounds |
FIFA Quality Pro |
FIFA Quality Pro |
1 year |
|
2. The FAW reserves the right to spot check a pitch at any time to verify it is still complying with the relevant level of certification. If during a spot check a pitch is found to be non-compliant the FAW may, at its discretion, allow the pitch to be used for the remainder of the season, providing that at the end of the season all necessary remedial works (including resurfacing) are undertaken to enable the pitch to comply with the certification requirements prior to the start of the next season.
3. A field must be retested and certified whenever the Football Turf surface is replaced.
4. The replacement of significant sections of the Football Turf surface may only be undertaken following consultation with the FAW. All repairs must be undertaken using Football Turf of the same specification to that installed. The FAW retains the right to ask a Club to retest the field after such works.
5. The Football Turf pitch, including run-offs, shall be one continuous playing surface. It must be green in colour. All football pitch line markings shall be white and in accordance with the Laws of Association Football. Any other lines on pitches used for JD Cymru Premier or JD Welsh Cup matches shall be masked out prior to a game. For men’s Tier 2 and the Adran Premier, any other white or yellow lines must be masked out. All other coloured lines, such as yellow, red, dark green or blue, although not recommended, are permitted in all other domestic FAW competitions.
6. The home Club shall allow their opposition the opportunity to use the pitch and train on the surface 45 minutes prior to kick-off and there must not be another game or event on the pitch following the training period. If it is intended to water the pitch before the match, the pitch shall also be watered prior to the training period.
7. The Club using the Football Turf pitch shall advise their opponents at least 24 hours before the match of limitations or recommendations on the types of boot or stud that may be used on the surface.
8. For Tiers 1 – 3 the Club must provide all necessary assistance and data relating to player assessments, injury records, maintenance etc as requested by the FAW, FIFA or UEFA.
NOTES:
a. A pitch must be tested, certified and entered onto the FAW’s Register of Certified Football Turf Pitches prior to any competitive games being played. Clubs are advised to ensure the installation programme for a new pitch makes adequate allowance for any bedding-in period recommended by the Football Turf manufacturer prior to the pitch being tested;
b. All tests must be undertaken by FIFA accredited test institutes. Details may be obtained at https://football-technology.fifa.com/en/media-tiles/fifa-accredited-test-institutes/
c. Certification to the FIFA Quality Pro category is valid for one year. At the end of the 12 months the pitch must be retested. If the Club has qualified again for a UEFA competition the pitch must be tested and recertified to the FIFA Quality Pro level.
If the Club has not qualified for a UEFA competition and the pitch will only be used in FAW competitions the following season it may be tested and certified to the FIFA Quality level. This new certificate is then for three years.
If a club downgrades to the FIFA Quality level and then subsequently qualifies for a UEFA competition in another season it may have the pitch retested, and providing it is found to comply, recertified as a FIFA Quality Pro pitch. This certificate will be valid for 12 months, after which the pitch will have to be retested.
d. The following terms and definitions apply to this Regulation:
|
Football Turf |
The term used by FIFA to describe long pile (3G) synthetic turf surfaces designed for football. |
|
FQP |
FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf |
|
FQP 2012 Manual |
FQP Handbook of Requirements, 2012 edition |
|
FQP 2015 Manual |
FQP Handbook of Requirements, 2015 edition |
|
FIFA Quality |
The category of Football Turf and field certification, as defined in the FQP and intended for pitches that are subjected to higher levels of use, typical of those built in Wales. This designation has been used by FIFA since 2015, replacing the FIFA One Star category. FQP 2012 manual A FIFA Quality (FIFA One Star) field must have either a FIFA One Star Category Football Turf surface or a FIFA Two Star category surface that has also been shown to satisfy the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA One Star product. FQP 2015 Manual A FIFA Quality field must have a Football Turf surface that has also been shown to satisfy the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA Quality product. |
|
FIFA Quality Pro |
The category of Football Turf and pitch certification, as defined in the FQP and intended for pitches used by professional football clubs for matches and training. This designation has been used by FIFA since 2015, replacing the FIFA Two Star category. FQP 2012 manual A FIFA Quality Pro (FIFA Two Star) field must be surfaced with a FIFA Two Star compliant Football Turf. FQP 2015 Manual A FIFA Quality Pro field must be surfaced with a FIFA Quality Pro compliant Football Turf. Note: A Football Turf may be certified as meeting the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA Quality Pro and a FIFA Quality product. Football Turfs with both certifications are recommended for WPL clubs. |
|
FAW Register of Certified Football Turf Pitches |
A list maintained by the FAW of pitches that have been tested and shown to comply with this regulation.
Testing of a pitch and applying for it to appear on the register is the responsibility of the Club wishing to play on the field. In the event of more than one Club or team playing on the same pitch each Club or team is required to apply for the pitch to be registered for their use, although the pitch need only be tested once.
All costs incurred for the testing of a pitch are the responsibility of the |
|
Initial certification |
The first time a field is tested and certified to a particular category. |
|
Subsequent certifications |
All certifications following the initial certification period expiring. |
|
Football Turf |
The term used by FIFA to describe long pile (3G) synthetic turf surfaces designed for football. |
|
FQP |
FIFA Quality Programme for Football Turf |
|
FQP 2012 Manual |
FQP Handbook of Requirements, 2012 edition |
|
FQP 2015 Manual |
FQP Handbook of Requirements, 2015 edition |
|
FIFA Quality |
The category of Football Turf and field certification, as defined in the FQP and intended for pitches that are subjected to higher levels of use, typical of those built in Wales. This designation has been used by FIFA since 2015, replacing the FIFA One Star category. FQP 2012 manual A FIFA Quality (FIFA One Star) field must have either a FIFA One Star Category Football Turf surface or a FIFA Two Star category surface that has also been shown to satisfy the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA One Star product. FQP 2015 Manual A FIFA Quality field must have a Football Turf surface that has also been shown to satisfy the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA Quality product. |
|
FIFA Quality Pro |
The category of Football Turf and pitch certification, as defined in the FQP and intended for pitches used by professional football clubs for matches and training. This designation has been used by FIFA since 2015, replacing the FIFA Two Star category. FQP 2012 manual A FIFA Quality Pro (FIFA Two Star) field must be surfaced with a FIFA Two Star compliant Football Turf. FQP 2015 Manual A FIFA Quality Pro field must be surfaced with a FIFA Quality Pro compliant Football Turf. Note: A Football Turf may be certified as meeting the laboratory test requirements of a FIFA Quality Pro and a FIFA Quality product. Football Turfs with both certifications are recommended for WPL clubs. |
|
FAW Register of Certified Football Turf Pitches |
A list maintained by the FAW of pitches that have been tested and shown to comply with this regulation. Testing of a pitch and applying for it to appear on the register is the responsibility of the Club wishing to play on the field. In the event of more than one Club or team playing on the same pitch each Club or team is required to apply for the pitch to be registered for their use, although the pitch need only be tested once. All costs incurred for the testing of a pitch are the responsibility of the facility owner / operator. The FAW makes no charge for the registration of a pitch. |
|
Initial certification |
The first time a field is tested and certified to a particular category. |
|
Subsequent certifications |
All certifications following the initial certification period expiring. |