Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor has found himself being slammed in Brazil by the National Federation of Professional Football Athletes (Fenapaf).
That’s according to O Dia, who cover comments from the group after Textor criticised a decision to ban synthetic pitches in the elite levels of Brazilian football.
They explain that Botafogo, one of the clubs Textor owns alongside Crystal Palace, are one of three clubs in the Brazilian first division that uses 100% artificial grass in their stadium, alongside Palmeiras and Athletico-PR.
They implemented the synthetic system last year, justifying it by citing that it can be maintained quickly and easily and also allows the club to hold other events without ruining the pitch.
Fenapaf are having none of it, though, calling out Textor in a statement today and questioning his commitment to synthetic grass given it’s not been implemented at Crystal Palace.
“This gentleman (John Textor) has no authority whatsoever to speak on behalf of Brazilian athletes, much less to make fun of comparing athletes who play on grass fields with animals,” he said.
“If synthetic grass is so good for playing football, why didn’t this gentleman put it in Crystal Palace and Lyon?”
