Scottish footballers have united to launch a campaign to ban plastic pitches from the Ladbrokes Premiership.

PFA Scotland say every single player in the top flight – outwith the three clubs that have synthetic surfaces; Hamilton, Kilmarnock and Livingston – has signed their Improving Pitches Petition.

Every club representative in the Championship, League One and League Two has also joined the union’s push to call on the game’s governing body to ensure the highest standards of pitch possible across all four leagues.

Scottish footballers have united to launch a campaign to ban plastic pitches from the top flight

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has previously called for plastic pitches to be outlawed in the elite game while his Celtic counterpart Brendan Rodgers believes artificial surfaces impact on the quality of football.

Now PFA Scotland chairman Fraser Wishart believes the SPFL must listen to the call for change.

‘This is a strong, powerful message from our members, those that actually play the game,’ Wishart said. ‘It is abundantly clear from our conversations with all 42 squads that our members feel passionately about Scottish football and care about the image and perception of the game they love.

‘Football is of course an entertainment industry, but our members do not enjoy playing on artificial surfaces in particular.

‘The SPFL recently agreed television contracts meaning Premiership matches will be seen all over the world; this can only be good for Scottish football which is in a good place now.

‘To keep improving, and to capitalise on the feel good factor, our members are of the view that having quality pitches to play on is of vital importance.

‘Our members in the Premiership want to see regulation in place that will ensure all Premiership pitches are grass which are maintained to the highest standards.’ But the SPFL swiftly hit back to defend the standard of the plastic pitches used in their competitions.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard has previously called for plastic pitches to be outlawed

An SPFL spokesperson said: ‘It’s very important that we listen to the views of players. It’s also important to note that every one of the artificial pitches used in the SPFL is independently inspected and certified by accredited FIFA experts to ensure it meets the very strict international quality and performance standards at the highest level set by FIFA.

‘Artificial pitches in the Premiership are additionally subject to multiple random and unannounced match-day inspections by independent certified and accredited FIFA experts, throughout each season, to ensure they are properly maintained and that they meet the exacting FIFA Quality Pro performance standards.

‘These inspections have demonstrated that with a high standard of care and maintenance, which has been consistently achieved by all of our Premiership clubs, that top-level artificial pitches can continue to meet the exacting performance standards set by FIFA.

‘The SPFL is understood to be the first professional league across the world to introduce a system of random inspection against FIFA performance standards in its top division and it has been widely praised for the thoroughness of its system. This is the third season in which this system has been in operation.

‘Whilst there will inevitably be ongoing debate on the relative merits of grass and artificial pitches, their use is approved by the SPFL and many other leagues and national associations all over the world and is sanctioned at all levels by the Laws of football.

‘Ultimately, this is a matter for SPFL clubs, but we have had no approaches from any such club to change the current rules or arrangements.

‘We look forward to further dialogue with PFA Scotland on this important issue.’

Maurizio Sarri praised his players’ concentration following a pleasing 2-1 victory over Swedish side Malmo in the Europa League.

The Blues responded to Sunday’s 6-0 hammering at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday by recording their first win on the road since December.

Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud netted for the Blues, ensuring they will take two away goals and a one-goal advantage back to Stamford Bridge for next week’s return fixture.

And Sarri was pleased with the performance – although he would have liked a greater winning margin.

Maurizio Sarri was pleased to return to winning ways against Malmo in the Europa League

Goals from Ross Barkley and Olivier Giroud ensured a routine victory against the Swedish side

‘We were in control of the match, I think we deserved to win with more goals, but I am happy because we played with confidence and it wasn’t very easy after the last match (a 6-0 defeat against Manchester City),’ said Sarri.

‘We conceded a goal on a mistake, it can happen, but the level of attention was really very good. I am very happy but we know very well that we have to gain the qualification in the next match.

‘I am always confident, but sometimes we had the wrong approach with matches, so we need to be careful in every match.’

Sarri has come under fierce criticism in the wake of his side’s heavy defeat to the league champions.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta said it was important to react well to the Manchester City defeat

Questions have been raised about his football philosophy and the willingness of his squad to implement his ideas. 

But the Blues are still fighting on four fronts –  with the Carabao Cup final to come at the end of the month – and captain Cesar Azpilicueta is determined to return to winning ways, starting with Monday’s FA Cup tie with Manchester United.

‘It’s very important (reaction to City), Chelsea is all about winning,’ said Azpilicueta. 

‘Sunday was unacceptable, we had our reaction today but we need consistency, we have an important game on Monday against Manchester United, we know what it means to everyone, those games, we are the current champions of the competition (FA Cup) so we will try to get through.’