13 Feb 2009Motherwell facing £20,000 fine for next postponement

Football Clubs News | Football Technology and Stadia

Motherwell were warned yesterday (February 12th) that they face a fine of £20,000 if they are forced to cancel another match due to the pitch at their Fir Park home.

The Scottish Premier League (SPL) side were given the suspended fine in December after problems with under-soil heating led to the postponement of their clash with Hearts.

Now the SPL has confirmed that the Lanarkshire club will also have to pay the sum - which follows concerns over the playing surface last year - if the heating system is not upgraded for the 2009-10 campaign.

SPL secretary Iain Blair said: "The suspended nature of this fine will deter any repeat performance.

"Motherwell have provided us with assurances that steps are being taken to upgrade their system."

The club has experimented with a hot-air dome over the pitch in response to freezing conditions in Scotland, but this has resulted in a serious deterioration in the surface.

Fir Park currently has a capacity of 13,742.

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