Standards

• The Laws of the Game state that where artificial surfaces are used in international play or the leagues of member associations, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard, unless FIFA offers a special dispensation.
  
  

Application

• A FIFA press release hailed the language permitting FIFA-sanctioned matches on artificial turf as being of special importance for countries with extremely hot, cold or wet conditions, such as Russia and nations within Africa, where heavy use can damage grass.
  
  

Controversy

• Teams in Europe's top leagues in England, Spain, Italy and Germany continue to shun artificial turf, fearful of injuries to the lower body from slide tackles and to leg joints. As of 2010, two teams in France's Ligue 1 have begun to experiment with artificial turf, in hopes of allowing heavier use of team fields and garnering rental income.