Pitch patterns banned by FA

In part of a raft of announcements of updates to the rules and regulations for the 2017/18 season, the Premier League has decided to clamp down on the creative pitch designs favoured by some groundskeepers.

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New rules introduced by the Premier League state that the playing surface must contain no markings other than the traditional horizontal and white lines.

This amendment brings the Premier League Rules into line with UEFA’s regulations for its competitions and follows consultation with the Premier League Club groundsmen.

In recent seasons, both the Leicester City and Southampton pitch curators have won plaudits for the standard of their maintenance, at times carving intricate designs into the pitch.

Arsenal host Leicester in the first match of the PL season on Friday 11 August.