The decision follows FIFA's decision to allow World Cup qualifying matches to be played on artificial surfaces.

The FA's National Facilities Manager Steve Williams said: "Over recent years, just as big improvements have been witnessed in the quality of natural grass pitches, the standard of artificial pitches has also improved dramatically too.

"It has become evident that significant strides in the artificial grass industry have taken place ensuring that such pitches try to replicate the play characteristics of natural grass pitches.

"Medical studies compiled by FIFA and UEFA do not show any evidence of increased injury risk when playing on artificial grass as compared to playing on natural grass.

"The UEFA pilot project over the last two years has provided a platform on which to progress and in August 2003, matches were played on artificial turf in Finland at the FIFA U-17 World Championship finals, with very positive feedback being received from players across the participating teams.

"There can certainly be financial benefits for some clubs in installing artificial pitches, as they can play and train on it more often without the need to replace it on a regular basis.

"While there will always be a place for natural grass pitches, artificial pitches may prove appropriate where they are deemed necessary."
UEFA_ArtTurfInfo.pdf