Work on the new surface at the Centenary Stadium at Ta’ Qali is under way and it should be completed by mid-July, Dr Joe Mifsud said yesterday.

The former surface is in the process of being replaced by a FIFA two-star surface, produced by the firm Polytan, which has been awarded several similar contracts around Europe.

Addressing the press yesterday, Mr Garry Walker, representing Polytan, said the company now has a track record of over 30 million square metres of sports surfaces installed worldwide. So far, two five-a-side pitches have been installed at the Melita Youth Nursery in Pembroke and three five-a-side pitches in Floriana.

The new surface, when completed, will undergo a test by a FIFA team. If it passes that test, the MFA will be given a certificate which will enable the association to host even international Under 21 matches on that surface. In fact, all types of matches will be able to be staged there, except for a final of the UEFA Champions League.

Dr Mifsud thanked UEFA for providing more than 50% of the funding for this project which has a guarantee of around eight years, if it is properly maintained. However, it shuld last longer. The MFA president said such a surface will enable the players to avoid serious injuries when they fall. “It will undergo that FIFA test every two years to get the required accreditation,” he said.

He ruled out any Premier League matches on the surface. He said: “Premier League football will be played on natural grass. But we hope to be able to assist the clubs in changing to artificial surfaces, especially for training purposes, in future.”