Palmeiras Stands Up for Synthetic Pitches Amid Neymar and Memphis’ Campaign

Palmeiras, a top club in Brazil’s football scene, has dismissed the assertions made by Neymar, Thiago Silva, and Memphis Depay regarding synthetic grass pitches, stating that there is no scientific evidence to support their claims.

Among the clubs in Brazil’s Serie A that have adopted the use of artificial pitches are Palmeiras, the reigning champions Botafogo, and relegated Atlético Paranaense.

Faced with high costs for investment and maintenance, clubs around the globe are increasingly opting for synthetic surfaces. Many Premier League teams have adopted a hybrid pitch that blends natural grass with artificial turf, as fully synthetic pitches are prohibited in England’s top tier.

In the previous year, teams in the Scottish Premiership voted to prohibit artificial surfaces starting from the 2026-27 season.

“It’s concerning to witness the direction Brazilian football is heading. It’s absurd that we are even discussing the use of synthetic turf on our grounds,” the players commented in a joint statement on Tuesday.

“Given the stature and legacy of our football, this should not be a topic for debate… In the most esteemed leagues globally, player opinions are valued and investment is focused on maintaining high-quality playing surfaces in stadiums.

“If Brazil aspires to take a leading role in the world football market, the first step should be to insist on the quality of the pitches on which players compete and train. Professional football is not played on synthetic surfaces.”

While Palmeiras acknowledges the urgency of discussing the quality of pitches in Brazilian football, they believe that the issue cannot be resolved through “hollow criticisms without scientific backing.”

The club, based in São Paulo, further emphasised that their synthetic pitch is certified by FIFA and has been subject to annual inspections since its installation in 2020, ensuring it meets the same standards as a natural grass pitch in prime condition.

“There is no scientific evidence suggesting that the injury risk on artificial pitches is greater than on natural ones… Various studies conducted by the media indicate that over the past five years, Palmeiras has had the lowest injury rates among Serie A clubs,” they stated.