Arsenal make bizarre Uefa request ahead of Champions League semi-final

Arsenal reportedly requested a pitch inspection ahead of kick-off in the their Champions League semi-final first leg tie against Atletico Madrid , with the Gunners’ grounds staff believing that the grass was too long at the Metropolitano Stadium. Clips circulating on social media show Arsenal staff seemingly in conversation while inspecting the grass on the pitch, and Spanish journalist Guillem Balague later reported that the club had formally asked Uefa to measure the length of the grass. “They’re checking the length of the grass.

Arsenal think that it’s too high,” Balague had earlier said in his own clip posted on his X account. With a little bit of news from the The Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Last night’s game was an absolute thriller but today will be different.

Here’s my preview for today’s game between Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal. Also, catch me LIVE from the pitchside for @CBSSportsGolazo pic. twitter.

com/ChjNrhBPoi — Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) April 29, 2026 “Arsenal, the ground staff, came in thinking the grass is too high, and asked Uefa to actually measure it. They weren’t happy, they thought it was Simeone creating some dark arts,” Balague later explained on CBS Sports Golazo . “After a while, Uefa said: ‘No, it’s actually 26mm’.