THE Premier League have moved to BAN fancy pitch designs next season.
Elaborate and fancy patterns on the turf will no longer be allowed, bringing the division in line with rules set by Uefa.
Rules from the European governing body state that the playing surface must contain no markings "other than traditional horizontal and white lines".
A statement on the Premier League website read that the "amendment brings the Premier League rules into line with Uefa's regulations for its competitions".
The Premier League also consulted with groundsmen at all 20 top flight clubs.
In recent years Leicester City and Southampton have earned praise for the intricate patterns they create on their pitches.
Manchester United's grounds team scooped the groundsmen of the year award last year and Aston Villa the season before - though that award is for the general standard and maintenance of the facilities.
The rules are among a number of changes fans can expect to see introduced next season.
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An immediately obvious change will be to the font of the names and numbers on the back of the shirts.
A more important change will come with diving.
For the first time, after success in Scotland, the Football Association will introduce retrospective punishment for diving.
A three-man panel will review incidents independently and if they all agree that a player cheated the ref, a two-game ban will be dished out.
The FA have also warned managers to curb their abuse of officials, while there are to be more stringent drug checks carried out.
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