Following all the controversy surrounding the use of artificial turf playing surfaces in the build-up to the Women's World Cup in Canada, the competition finally kicked-off on Saturday - in close to unplayable conditions. The Washington Post reports that the temperature of the artificial surface in Edmonton before the kick-off of the Canada v China opener, reached 120 fahrenheit, or 49 degrees Celsius.
A Fox Sports reporter, Justin Russo, Tweeted this pitchside picture, saying "It's a brisk 120 degrees on the artificial turf at the Women's World Cup. The fact it's on turf is stupid."

That heat level is only 2 degrees fahrenheit under the maximum temperature which research undertaken by the City of Las Vegas in 2009 cited as unsafe to play on. The Washington Post says the research, "found artificial turf above 122 degrees is considered unsafe for sustained athletic use and that, depending on the air temperature, turf can get as hot as 180 degrees.
"The air temperature in Edmonton measured just 75 degrees on Saturday, but when plastic and rubber sits directly beneath the sun for hours, it collects more heat. Players won’t burn themselves on the artificial grounds, but the heat radiating from beneath them could cause them to tire quicker."

And it's not only FIFA who are currently advocating the use of artifical turf - the Oxford Mail reports that Oxford United's ex-groundsman, Mick Moore is a recent convert too. He tells the local paper that he's replaced all the turf in his own garden with a plastic surface. 71 year old Mick is quoted as saying, "I never thought I’d say this, but it’s the future. It just makes so much sense.”
Mick, who was Head Groundsman at the Kassam Stadium for 17 years before taking a role at St John's College in 2002 , says he has cut the grass for the last time. He feels a debate needs to be had on alternative surfaces, saying "I have been very, very impressed with the 3G surface on Oxford City’s training pitches. I can’t see why all lower-league football isn’t played on this sort of surface in the future."

FInally, following all this talk of artificial, here's a picture which sums up the joys to be had from real grass. Posted by Michael Kirkwood, Maintenance Manager for Kestrel Contractors, on Twitter, he said, "This is what happens when a Golden Retriever rolls around on fresh cut grass."