FA convinced Russia game will be played on plastic

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An FA delegation were informed on Tuesday that it was 99% certain the match in October would be played at the 84,000 capacity Luzhniki Stadium, which has an artificial pitch.

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Disjointed: Players will struggle with the bounce of the ball on a plastic pitch and it puts extra strain on the body

Russian Football Union president Mutko has since claimed that the venue has not been decided.

"The decision where to play against England hasn't been taken yet," Mutko said.

"On Tuesday a delegation from England visited the Luzhniki but declined to visit the Lokomotiv Stadium, since they are already well acquainted with that stadium.

"We consider the Luzhniki to have the priority, but there is still time in which to make a definite decision, which should be sent to UEFA no later than 60 days before the date of the match."

The 30,000 capacity Lokomotiv Stadium, reconstructed in 2002, is the usual home for Russian national games played in Moscow, with the Luzhniki last used for an senior international fixture in 2001.

But the match against England will be the first time the two countries have met since the days of the CIS and is likely to attract huge attention in the Russian capital, making the Luzhniki more suitable in terms of capacity.