“Grass Is Better” – Rodgers Warns of Rugby Park’s Artificial Pitch Impact

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers says he is concerned about the impact playing on an artificial surface could have on his players.

The Foxes travel to Rugby Park on Saturday to face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership, and Rodgers has admitted that he is not a fan of playing on synthetic pitches.

“I think it's a concern,” Rodgers said. “I think it's something that we need to look at. I think it's something that the players need to be protected from.”

“I think the game is played at a different pace, a different intensity, and I think it's something that we need to look at in terms of player welfare.”

Rodgers' concerns are echoed by his players, with defender Wesley Fofana saying that playing on an artificial pitch is “like playing on concrete”.

“It's very hard on the body,” Fofana said. “I think it's something that we need to look at, because it's not good for the players.”

“It's not good for the knees, it's not good for the ankles, and I think it's something that we need to look at in terms of player welfare.”

The concerns raised by Rodgers and his players are not new, and there have been a number of studies that have shown that playing on artificial pitches can increase the risk of injuries.

A study by the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences found that players who played on artificial pitches were 2.5 times more likely to suffer an ankle injury than those who played on grass.

Another study by the Swedish Football Association found that players who played on artificial pitches were 1.5 times more likely to suffer a knee injury than those who played on grass.

Given the evidence, it is clear that there is a need for more research into the impact of playing on artificial pitches on player welfare.

In the meantime, clubs should be aware of the risks associated with playing on artificial pitches and take steps to protect their players.

This could include limiting the amount of time that players spend playing on artificial pitches, providing them with appropriate footwear, and ensuring that the pitches are properly maintained.