Oliver Ash has hit back after it emerged Crystal Palace boss Frank de Boer didn’t want his stars playing on Maidstone’s 3G pitch.

The Eagles’ late decision to send a youth team to the Gallagher Stadium’s fifth-anniversary match was initially put down to de Boer wanting to look at the under-23s.

But coach Richard Shaw has since revealed the pitch was the reason, referring to it as ‘astro’ in an interview with the Croydon Advertiser.

Maidstone co-owner Mr Ash said: “Richard Shaw’s comments are disappointing because they show an ignorance about 3G pitches and that’s doing a disservice to non-league football as a whole where so many clubs have found the 3G model to be a real benefit to them and to their whole communities.

“Also, his use of the word ‘astro’ is an outdated term which hasn’t had any relevance since the early 90s and shows a technical ignorance, which is disappointing from somebody working at a Premier League club.

“It’s further disappointing that we would have expected Frank de Boer, with his background, to have been used to 3G pitches and to know how technically good they are for football and also be aware of all the medical research that shows they are not likely to cause any injuries different to natural grass.”

The fixture attracted a record crowd of 4,101 and Mr Ash added: “It’s disappointing that the first team didn’t come down when it had been agreed between both sides and quite clearly publicised as a first-team game.

“But having said that, the match was still a very good match and it was a good test to play the excellent youngsters they brought down and one first-teamer.

“The occasion, from what I hear, was a festive occasion, enjoyed by the vast majority of the supporters who celebrated five years of the club being back in town which in itself is a momentous achievement.”

Mr Ash is confident Palace’s stance won’t damage the case for 3G pitches in the Football League.

He added: “One set of ignorant comments isn’t going to derail an unstoppable campaign to get 3G allowed at the levels it should be allowed at, namely League 1 and League 2.

“That will happen in the next few years because eventually English football does do things the right way, it just takes longer than it does in any other country.”