Arsenal staff reportedly raised a complaint about Atletico Madrid just hours before their clash in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Arsenal asked UEFA to measure the length of the grass at the Metropolitano ahead of their clash against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final. The Gunners staff believed Diego Simeone’s side had breached pitch-cutting guidelines, but they were later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Two hours before kick-off on Wednesday evening, the CBS Sports television cameras captured the moment that Arsenal lodged a complaint about the length of the grass. In Article 34 of the Champions League rulebook, UEFA states: “The height of the grass may not, in principle, 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. If deemed necessary by the referee or the UEFA match delegate, the home club may be required to reduce the height of the grass for the match and training sessions.”
Following an inspection by UEFA, the length of the grass was measured to be 26 millimetres. Barcelona lodged a similar complaint upon their visit to the Metropolitano in the second leg of the quarter-final earlier this month, but, again, UEFA cleared Atletico of any wrongdoing.
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In an official statement to the official broadcaster in the United Kingdom, TNT Sports, a Barcelona spokesperson set the record straight ahead of kick-off. They said: “We have a commitment with UEFA and can confirm that the pitch will be in perfect condition [as agreed at] this morning’s meeting.
“To be more precise, it will be cut to 26mm and well watered before kick-off and at half-time.”
Atletico lost on the night, but won 3-2 on aggregate, sealing a place in the semi-final against Arsenal. Nevertheless, speaking to reporters in the Spanish capital on Tuesday afternoon, Arteta described the pitch as ‘very good’.
“I just walked on the grass, and it is very good,” said the Gunners boss. “What happens up there, none of us knows. Especially at this time of the game, we will adapt to the context.
“The good thing is that in the last 10 months we have played in infinite scenarios, rivals, contexts, and the team has arrived here because it is ready to adapt.”
On Atletico, Arteta said: “A really tough match. They’re a team that has so much experience in the competition, that have every right to be here, because what they’ve done is remarkable.
“We know the difficulty of the match, but I think we have shown in Europe, in any ground, what we are capable of. We’ve been very consistent, and tomorrow we have to play with that confidence, with that desire and that will, to come here to win the game.”
And on his side, Arteta said: “Understanding what is happening at the moment, how they are activated and what makes them tick. We have identified their threats.
“Tomorrow, we have to be able to test them quickly and not let them pass. And above all, we have to make sure that we go toe-to-toe with them.”
