Flamengo submits proposal to CBF for standardization of playing fields in the country for a world-class football environment

Flamengo today (December 8th) submitted a technical contribution to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to the working group to be formed for the improvement and standardization of football pitches in the country, reinforcing the Club's commitment. For a First World Football.

In the document, Flamengo presents the proposal of Program for Evaluation and Monitoring of the Quality of Football Fields in Brazil, which brings together suggestions aimed at raising the quality of the fields, improving sports practice and bringing national football closer to the top tier of world sport.

Some points presented by Flamengo:

• Flamengo understands that artificial turf does not offer adequate conditions for high-performance football. In the main European leagues, this type of surface is prohibited, and it is also not used in the main South American leagues (Argentina, Uruguay, and Colombia). No country that has ever won a World Cup accepts plastic turf; only Brazil. A survey conducted by the Club identified no first division matches in these leagues during the 2025 season played on artificial turf.
• Concern about artificial turf isn't unique to Flamengo. Players, the main protagonists of the sport, have been publicly expressing their opposition to the use of this type of surface in high-level competitions and, in some cases, even refuse to play on these fields. This scenario raises an alert about the risk that top athletes, both Brazilian and foreign, may stop considering playing in Brazilian football precisely because of the playing surface conditions.
• Additionally, there are several studies listed in the material provided by Flamengo that clearly indicate that this type of surface is harmful to health, increasing the number of injuries and causing other problems due to contact with the plastic. 
• Considering that the main justifications for the use of synthetic turf are cost reduction and the holding of concerts and events, and seeking to avoid immediate losses for clubs that currently use this type of surface, Flamengo proposes the adoption of a transition period. The suggestion is that artificial turf be replaced in Série A by the end of 2027 and in Série B by the end of 2028, guaranteeing adequate adaptation time without compromising sporting quality.
• Even during the transition period, the quality of plastic turf needs to be improved. Flamengo suggests adopting a minimum quality standard for synthetic surfaces, encompassing criteria such as fiber type and material, grass height, stitch density, cushioning layer, infill type, and color.
• Similarly, Flamengo understands that it is not enough to simply ban plastic turf, but also to establish a minimum quality standard for natural grass, following strict rules used by FIFA and UEFA, adapted to the specificities of Brazilian football.
• Flamengo presented the working group with a robust document proposing minimum technical standards for verifying the quality of playing fields, regardless of their type, including tests of ball roll, impact absorption, surface rigidity, among others. Currently, there is no evaluation protocol for stadiums with natural or artificial turf to host matches organized by the CBF (Brazilian Football Confederation) that guarantees that, regardless of the stadium, Brazilian football is played equally, within the most rigorous international standards, which reinforces the need for regulation.
• In addition, Flamengo proposes the adoption of minimum infrastructure standards valid for both natural and synthetic turf — including irrigation and drainage systems, adequate maintenance equipment, specification of the structural base, type of grass or fiber, pest and disease control, and leveling. The goal is to ensure that, from 2026 onwards, any playing field offers uniform behavior in ball-surface and player-surface interaction.

These suggestions complement Flamengo's formal response to the CBF's request for contributions to adjust the General Competition Regulations (RGC) and the Specific Competition Regulations (REC) of the 2026 Brasileirão. Now, Flamengo awaits the formalization of the working group that will delve deeper into the subject, allowing discussions and deliberations to take place in time for the start of next season's competitions.

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