Plastic pitch petition was player-led, says union

PFA Scotland has stressed that its petition calling for a top-flight ban on artificial pitches was instigated by players and not its officials.

The trade union also defended its decision not to ask players from the three Ladbrokes Premiership clubs with the surfaces to sign the document – claiming it was for their own protection.

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd criticised the union for not asking the opinions of his squad and players at Livingston and Hamilton in its “survey”.

PFA Scotland said in a statement: “Firstly, and important to note, the Improving Pitches Petition is a petition and not a survey as has been misrepresented – no questions were asked, the players simply had to read and agree the wording by signing their name to it.

“The petition is player led, it was not initiated by PFA Scotland. It is the players calling for change.

“At this season’s 42 PFA Scotland club visits, the players were very vocal in their frustration at the state of pitches/ surfaces they are being asked to play on week in, week out across the SPFL.

“Off the back of these visits, a proposal from players at a Premiership club was brought to our management committee – which is made up of players across the four SPFL divisions – calling for action in the form of a petition to be sent to the SPFL making their views clear.”

The PFA management committee approved the two petitions, which also called for improved standards of pitches in the lower leagues, and agreed it would be unfair to ask Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Livingston players to sign “as by criticising their own club they could potentially be in breach of their contract”.

The statement added: “Players’ contracts, similar to those in any workplace, have a clause prohibiting them from criticising their employer either orally or in writing, publicly or privately.

“We have had a situation where a player was heavily fined by his club for criticising his own pitch in a post-match interview.

“As a trade union, it would be irresponsible for us to put our members in that position.

“Members at these clubs were made aware of the existence of the petition and the reasons for their noninvolvement.”

Meanwhile, Boyd has criticised Celtic fans and warned someone could be seriously injured after he was struck with a coin during his side’s late defeat by the Scottish champions on Sunday.

Television footage caught a coin bouncing off the former Rangers forward’s arm as he warmed up in front of the away fans at Rugby Park.

Boyd also criticised the Celtic fans over their celebrations after Scott Brown netted the only goal in the final minute of the contest.

Boyd wrote on Instagram: “We’re led to believe they’re the greatest fans in the world! Wrecking seats, flares and invading the park!”

Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd criticised the PFA.