{"id":8521,"date":"2026-04-29T21:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8521"},"modified":"2026-04-29T21:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T21:00:27","slug":"arsenal-unhappy-with-grass-on-atletico-madrid-pitch-before-champions-league-match-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=8521","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal unhappy with grass on Atletico Madrid pitch before Champions League match | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Arsenal\u2019s ground staff were checking the height of the grass at the Metropolitano Stadium (CBS Sports)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arsenal raised concerns over the length of the grass at the Metropolitano Stadium hours before their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n

With an hour to go before kick-off, CBS Sports showed footage of Arsenal\u2019sground staff inspecting the pitch with a device which measures the height of the surface.<\/p>\n

UEFA\u2019s rules state that the height of the grass must not exceed 30mm\u00a0and the entire playing surface must be cut to the same level.<\/p>\n

CBS Sports reporter Guillem Balague revealed that Arsenal asked UEFA to carry out an inspection, which confirmed that the pitch has been cut to 26mm.<\/p>\n

\u2018I need to tell you about the grass war that took place just about an hour ago,\u2019 Balague said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Arsenal\u2019s ground staff came in thinking the grass is too high, \u2018we\u2019re not happy with it\u2019.<\/p>\n

\u2018They asked UEFA to actually measure it. They thought it was [Diego] Simeone creating some dark arts.<\/p>\n

\u2018After a while, UEFA said \u2018no, it\u2019s actually 26mm\u2019. The limit is 30mm. It\u2019s 21-30mm. By the way, it was the same as when they played Barcelona here.\u2019<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, Barcelona had also complained about the length of the grass Metropolitano Stadium ahead of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico.<\/p>\n

Barcelona\u2019s head coach, Hansi Flick, was seen discussing the pitch UEFA\u2019s match delegate during the team\u2019s final training session.<\/p>\n

However, Atletico had not breached UEFA\u2019s ruled as the pitch was cut to 26mm.<\/p>\n

Managers raise concerns over the height of the grass as a longer playing surface slows down the speed of the ball, making it more difficult for teams with a fast-passing style of play.<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal LIVE: Champions League latest score and goal updates as Alvarez levels<\/span><\/p>\n

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