The French football players' union (UNFP) has called for synthetic grass pitches to be replaced by natural grass ones "from the start of next season," citing injury concerns, reports the BBC.


FC Lorient's artificial pitch

It came three days after Lille and Morocco's Sofiane Boufal injured his knee on Lorient's synthetic pitch.

The injury has left the 22-year-old requiring surgery.

The UNFP said playing on synthetic surfaces "leads to muscular pain, twists, stress on joints and burns".

Lorient have already announced plans to install a new grass pitch in the summer with the French League set to outlaw synthetic playing surfaces in France's top two divisions by 2018.

However, Nancy president Jacques Rousselot said the club would continue to play on synthetic turf for the 2016-17 season after clinching their return to the top flight.