Five Série A Clubs Issue Joint Defense of Synthetic Pitches

Overview

• On Thursday, Athletico-PR, Atlético-MG, Botafogo, Chapecoense and Palmeiras issued a coordinated statement supporting synthetic turf in Brazilian stadiums.
• The statement says no conclusive scientific research links modern artificial surfaces to higher injury rates and calls for a debate grounded in data and technical criteria.
• The clubs argue that high-performance synthetic fields can outperform poorly maintained natural grass and point to the lack of pitch standardization nationwide.
• Flamengo this week submitted a proposal to the CBF seeking to end synthetic fields as part of a pitch-quality program, and a prior attempt to tie a ban to financial fair play was rejected according to local reporting.
• With Athletico-PR and Chapecoense promoted, roughly 30% of 2026 Série A clubs will host on artificial turf, and the CBF is preparing a group to review pitch standards, local outlets report.