Top-flight clubs agreed at the end of the season to enact a ban in the Premiership beginning with the 2026-27 season, after the governing body proposed a resolution to “phase out” artificial pitches.
Representatives from Falkirk, Livingston, Raith Rovers, Hamilton, Airdrieonians, Cove Rangers, and Queen of the South have met with Scottish FA president Mike Mulraney and are preparing to request an independent arbitration tribunal to review the ban under Article 99 of the Scottish FA’s articles of association.
The Bairns have made their position on the issue clear, with chief executive officer Jamie Swinney declaring to shareholders at the last club AGM that they would try to contest the plans.
Mulraney, the former chairman of Alloa Athletic, is now working on a scheme to help clubs that gain promotion to the top flight avoid a costly court struggle in the near future.
Swinney and his fellow club bosses think that the money should seep down the pyramid to help cash-strapped lower-league clubs, citing examples from other UEFA nations where solidarity payments drop down.
Currently, UEFA solidarity payments in Scotland are only distributed to Premiership clubs that are not competing in European group stage events. According to the Falkirk Herald, the amount distributed to the nine top-flight teams last season was roughly £620,000.
A new distribution mechanism in which some or all of the revenues go to second-tier clubs could be one method to bridge the already enormous gap between the two levels.
“We believe that all clubs with the ability and ambition to reach the Premiership should be encouraged to do so, without unnecessary barriers being put in place to demotivate and disincentivise them,” said a spokesperson for four of the clubs involved in the challenge.
“The expenditures of maintaining the greatest possible level of grass pitches year-round could exceed £750k per year, with a major portion of this related to the electricity required to power grass growth lamps.
“As a result, the majority of Scottish clubs find it extremely difficult to reach the greatest possible grade of playing field due to the expensive cost. There’s no doubt that a high-quality, UEFA-approved artificial surface is considerably preferable in every way than a subpar grass pitch, as we sometimes see in Scottish football during the winter months.”
A conference of Premiership clubs has now examined the subject, and a vote is expected before the end of the season, with any change requiring the approval of 75% of top-flight clubs.
The Falkirk Herald understands that member clubs will meet on Monday, November 25 for an SPFL General Meeting.
Kilmarnock are the only top-flight team with an artificial field, and they confirmed this week that they will not return to grass for the start of next season as planned.
Falkirk presently leads the second tier by six points, and they hope that common sense will prevail if they are promoted to the Premiership.
