EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Using the FIFA regulation times for pre-match warm-ups and match time, the pitches will have to facilitate a total of 9,792 minutes which is 163 hours over the 64 games, giving an average of 20.4 hours per pitch. This doesn’t include games that can go to extra-time or the various commercial activity, but is a great indication of why we needed to go with a hybrid
”
PC: You have talked about the contribution of hybrid pitches in Russia already. How important is its role in the stability of the pitches for a World Cup that will have an increased number of games at less venues?
AF: It’s massive. Many people who watch the World Cup only see the games. They do not see the pressure the pitches are put under from the various rehearsals and commercial activities that are part of a World Cup. In Moscow, the pitch in the Luzhniki Stadium hosted 85 hours of activity in thirty-five days. That is as intense a use as any pitch I know. Six of of the twelve pitches in Russia were SISGRASS whilst three were Grassmaster, and these nine performed really well and show the way forward for top level international tournament football. With four stadia less in Qatar to host the 64 games and the same amount of commercial activity, the use is likely to be as intense and the use of hybrid technology will be key to a successful pitch delivery. Using the FIFA regulation times for pre- match warm-ups and match time, the pitches will have to facilitate a total of 9,792 minutes which is 163 hours over the 64 games, giving an average of 20.4 hours per pitch. This doesn’t include games that can go to extra-time or the various commercial activity, but is a great indication of why we needed to go with a hybrid. To reduce potential stress on the pitches, discussions are ongoing to move the
Matchday One training sessions to a similarly constructed pitch close to the stadium. If I’m successful in achieving this, it will remove 128 one-hour training sessions from the match pitches.
PC: Work has been going on in Qatar for a while now. How much infrastructure work has been completed so far?
AF: The Qataris have been working towards the finals since 2010. Having the World Cup in Qatar is one of a number of projects going on to build up the country and raise its sporting profile. Three stadia will be completed by the end of 2018 with the remainder getting underway in 2019. Many other infrastructure projects are at various stages of completion. To increase the travel links, they are currently building a state-of- the-art Metro link which will feature driverless trains, operating on three lines, connecting all eight stadia to the main fan hubs. Work is also ongoing to increase the air capacity at both Hamid International Airport and the old Doha International Airport, and thousands of additional hotel rooms are under construction for fans at the 2022 finals.
PC: Thank you for your time and we wish you well in your new role.
18
PC December/January 2019
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