Arsenal consider UEFA complaint against Atletico Madrid following Champions League game
Arsenal are said to be considering filing a formal UEFA complaint against Atletico Madrid over alleged pitch violations during their Champions League semi-final
Arsenal could report Atletico Madrid to UEFA following their 1-1 Champions League draw at the Metropolitano Stadium. The Gunners had personnel on the field in Madrid before kick-off on Wednesday, who were captured on television measuring the height of the grass. They have not formally lodged a complaint, but likely possess documentation to submit something in writing to UEFA should they opt to do so.
UEFA regulations stipulate that the maximum height of the grass must be no more than 30mm, and, despite suggestions, it was actually too short; Arsenal clearly disagreed. Arsenal personnel were observed protesting to UEFA officials before the match and were arguing that the grass exceeded the permitted length, as per The Mirror . New Jersey Governor calls out FIFA over eye-watering World Cup train fares World Cup final tickets start at staggering $10,000 as resale fan prices exposed UEFA has strict rules regarding the condition that pitches must be in -Credit:Manu Reino/Getty Images Barcelona claimed the grass was too long in their quarter-final as they accused Atletico of attempting to slow the tempo down.
Tottenham Hotspur said the pitch was watered too heavily before their Round of 16 tie, and they activated the sprinklers before kickoff - but Arsenal thwarted any such plans because they switched ends after the coin toss. Atletico then watered the pitch at halftime, dousing the end Arsenal were defending with more water than the other. There are strict UEFA regulations on the condition of the pitch, which state "the home club must make every reasonable effort to ensure that the pitch is in the best possible condition," and they will undergo strict pre-match inspections.
UEFA's Article 34 also states: "The home club must respect the pitch-cutting guidelines for natural grass pitches. The height of the grass must not exceed 30mm and the entire playing surface must be cut to the same height. "The height of the grass should be the same for both the training sessions and the match.