The return of artificial pitches to the Football League has been rejected by club chairmen in League One and Two after a tied vote.
The proposal had been expected to be approved, allowing third generation 3G playing surfaces to be used from next season. The vote resulted in 34 clubs in favour, 34 against and four abstentions.
The Football League’s chief executive, Shaun Harvey, told their website: “This vote is reflective of the fact this issue divides opinion among clubs as much as it does across the football public.
“While the outcome is different to previous indicative votes, it demonstrates there is still a desire among clubs to find out more about artificial playing surfaces before taking such a significant step.”
Artificial pitches were banned in 1995 over problems with injuries and the movement of the ball but backers said new technology had alleviated those concerns and could produce new revenue streams.
.jpg?w=600)
