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uefa's turf war

Uefa blast Euro 2016 hosts France over the state of pitches for the tournament

With busy schedule and wet conditions, French groundsmen have struggled to produce world-class playing surfaces

Life's a pitch for Kingsley Coman after he missed a chance

UEFA and France are fighting a turf war over the state of the playing surfaces at Euro 2016.

A bout of unseasonable wet weather combined with a busy schedule due to the bumper 24-team format for the tournament have tested groundsmen.

Life's a pitch for Kingsley Coman after he missed a chance for hosts
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Life's a pitch for Kingsley Coman after he missed a chance for hostsCredit: Getty Images
Groundsmen have been waging a turf war but are coming out second best
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Groundsmen have been waging a turf war but are coming out second bestCredit: EPA
It's been a case of pitch imperfect for European Championships hosts France
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It's been a case of pitch imperfect for European Championships hosts FranceCredit: AP:Associated Press

The pitches in Marseille, Saint Denis and Lille in particular have been cutting up during games.

And tournament director Martin Kallen rapped: "The pitches should be better and we're not happy.

"We have taken measures to preserve pitches but in a summer tournament you don't expect it to rain so much."

Northern France suffered severe flooding in the run-up to the tournament and heavy rain has continued

during the group stage.

Last night's clash between Northern Ireland and Ukraine was temporarily halted due to a hail storm.

That's the power of Highway to Hell

Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps criticised the state of the pitch in Marseille for Algeria win
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Didier Deschamps criticised the state of the pitch in Marseille for Algeria winCredit: Reuters
Wayne Rooney inspects the pitch ahead of England's draw with Russia
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Wayne Rooney inspects the pitch ahead of England's draw with RussiaCredit: EPA
Lawn and order: Tournament director Martin Kallen spoke out
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Lawn and order: Tournament director Martin Kallen spoke outCredit: Getty Images

France coach Didier Deschamps singled out Marseille and blasted the holding of an AC/DC concert at the Stade Velodrome a few weeks before the tournament.

After the win over Albania, he said: "It doesn't help build your play and leads to a lot of technical errors.

"Honestly when I saw the photos and videos at the end of the concert, I thought I was in another world, but that's the power of Highway to Hell."

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Uefa today cancelled Iceland and Hungary's training sessions at the stadium ahead of Saturday's game.

Modern structures often limit natural light and wind, meaning pitches get moist and can cut up too easily.

Kallen added: "Pitches are a major issue in modern stadiums because they are multi-functional arenas."

 

 

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