19 Feb 2026
By Louis Francis, Solicitor, Corporate, Gilson Gray
Severe winter conditions have disrupted the SPFL calendar yet again, with several matches postponed due to unplayable pitches and safety concerns. Although the elements are beyond any club’s control, compliance with the SPFL Rules and Regulations is not. This article examines whether Scottish clubs are taking all reasonable steps to discharge their regulatory obligations.
SPFL Framework
The SPFL framework sets binding conditions on all member clubs in Scotland in relation to the condition of their playing surfaces. Clubs must be compliant with the Regulations in regards to pitch readiness and circumstances leading to postponement. The Regulations state the following:
“H11: Each Club shall ensure that the field of play at its Registered Ground and at any other ground at which it is the Home Club for a League Match or Play-Off Match is:-
H11.1 smooth and in good condition and repair; and
H11.2 equipped with an efficient and effective drainage system so that it cannot become unplayable due to flooding.”
Further, the Regulations have provisions on “pitch protection” within section H9 and, specifically, concerning protection of the pitch over the winter period. In this context, the Regulations state the following:
“H10:Each Club shall provide, maintain and use in such manner as to ensure its efficient and effective operation an adequate winter pitch protection system. Such systems shall be fully utilised by the Home Club before any League Match or Play-Off Match where there is a reasonable possibility of its pitch otherwise being frozen or covered in snow or ice so as to ensure that the League Match is able to take place at the venue and on the date and time scheduled notwithstanding such possibility.”
So, what does this mean in practical terms?
Construction and Structural Standards
The Regulations and wider industry standards require that in order for turf pitches to be compliant, and to remain in a compliant state, the playing surface must have:
(i) the proper earthworks and a compliant sub base (i.e. the ground has been cleared, excavated, shaped and levelled appropriately); and
(ii) effective drainage systems in place by installing pipes as part of the earthworks process. If you’re a team that participates in the Scottish premiership, rule H4.1.2(a) states that as part of the clubs winter pitch protection, they must have:
“a subsurface heating system installed beneath the playing surface that complies with any minimum specifications or conditions that may be required by the Board from time to time”.
Ongoing Maintenance Duties
While the Regulations do not prescribe specific maintenance obligations, clubs must ensure their pitches are maintained to a standard that keeps them safe and fit for all scheduled fixtures.
Industry standard maintenance practices such as mowing, aeration, fertilisation and over-seeding should be considered in order to keep the playing surface in a playable condition.
Synthetic surfaces
Given Scotland’s unforgiving climate, a number of lower-league clubs – and, until recent regulatory changes, some Premiership sides – have turned to synthetic pitches to reduce the heavy maintenance burden that natural grass demands during long, wet winters. The financial logic is clear: greater durability, fewer postponements, and more predictable upkeep costs.
That flexibility, however, comes with strict regulatory oversight. The SPFL Regulations require any synthetic surface to be constructed using approved synthetic fibres and materials, in line with a design and specification that has passed both laboratory and field testing under the FIFA Quality Programme for the FIFA Quality Pro mark (H4.2.1). In short, installation is not enough – certification is mandatory.
Compliance does not end once the pitch is laid. The surface must continue to perform throughout the season to the FIFA Quality Pro standard (or any higher benchmark FIFA may introduce) (H4.2.2). Ongoing conformity is demonstrated through regular “performance testing”, including assessments of surface hardness, ball bounce and roll.
Clubs are also expected to implement a comprehensive Quality Plan. This should document inspections carried out during construction, maintenance, and any refurbishment works, evidencing continued adherence to both SPFL and FIFA standards. The message from the Regulations is clear: synthetic surfaces may offer resilience, but they operate within a tightly controlled compliance framework.
Summary
Scotland’s weather may be unpredictable, but regulatory compliance is not optional. While unplayable pitches are sometimes unavoidable, clubs must ensure they do not fall foul of the SPFL Regulations. Rule H12 empowers the SPFL Board to sanction any club in breach of Rule H11 – a clear signal that surface standards are treated as a governance issue, not merely a groundskeeping one. It is far better to address the issue proactively than to face disciplinary consequences.
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