AC and Inter Milan to Play on Hybrid Grass in San Siro

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Jul 12, 2012, 05:00 ET

DENDERMONDE, Belgium, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

For the first time ever in Italy, 2 Serie A clubs will play their home matches on a natural grass pitch, reinforced by artificial fibres.

Desso Sports Systems have been asked by the stadium management to install their Desso GrassMaster system in San Siro Stadium and in the training centres of both clubs.

Iconic "Temple of Football"

The 80.000 seat stadium is one of the most emblematic stadiums in the world, named after Italian football legend Guiseppe Meazza. One of the unique aspects of the stadium is to be found in the special roof construction, covering all stands.

Desso Sports Systems, known for their experience with installing pitches in state of the art venues, have been asked to install a Desso GrassMaster pitch in the stadium and the training centres of AC and Inter Milan.

High Tech grass pitch

The hybrid system consists of a 100 % natural grass pitch into which artificial fibres are injected 20 cm deep, every 2 cm across the pitch. This results in approximately 20 million artificial fibres, reinforcing the natural grass pitch. The ingenuity of the system is to be found below the surface. The natural grass roots grow around the artificial fibres, thus anchoring the field. The system offers stability and reinforcement, ensuring a uniform surface in perfect condition at all times.

Thanks to the protecting artificial fibres, the natural grass can recover faster, which will be an important benefit for San Siro. In addition to hosting the home matches of both AC and Inter Milan, the stadium is also the scene of events and concerts. The installation of the Desso GrassMaster system will commence end of July and will take 10 days. After that, the machines will move to the training centres of AC and Inter Milan and install Desso GrassMaster training pitches.

Desso GrassMaster already successful with international top clubs and tournaments

The grass system has already proven its reliability at the highest level. English Premier League clubs such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur play on a Desso GrassMaster pitch in their stadium.

The stadiums of Donetsk and Kharkov, both stadiums for the Euro 2012 have the hybrid system

A number of matches during the FIFA 2010 World Cup Football in South Africa was played on Desso GrassMaster pitches.

Since the installation of the Desso GrassMaster system in 2010 in Wembley, the stadium has a perfect pitch again. In 2011, more than 60 sports events and 8 weeks of concerts were organized.

During the Olympics 2012, Wembley will host 9 football matches, including the semi finals and finals in less than 2 weeks time.

About Desso Sports Systems:

Desso Sports Systems is the international leader in innovative sports fields for football, rugby and hockey pitches as well as tennis courts and multifunctional fields.

Over time, the company has installed more than 50 million m² of artificial turf and hybrid grass at both amateur and professional clubs all over the world.

Desso Sports Systems is a FIFA Preferred Producer for football turf.

Desso Sports Systems is part of Desso, well known for contract carpeting and carpet tiles for offices, public buildings, schools, hospitals and airlines.

http://www.dessosports.com/news

SOURCE Desso