Arsenal drew 1-1 in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid after club officials worked to collect evidence that could be shown to UEFA.
Mikel Arteta’s side were unhappy with the length of the grass (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal can register Atlético Madrid with UEFA after a pitch battle at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The Gunners have staff in Madrid who were seen on television measuring the length of the grass before the game. They haven’t actually lodged a formal complaint, but if they choose to do so they would probably have the evidence to put something in writing to UEFA.
UEFA rules stipulate that the grass can be no longer than 30mm long, something Arsenal clearly disagreed with, despite suggestions that it was actually too short. Arsenal staff were also seen admonishing UEFA officials before the game, complaining that the grass was too long and exceeded limits.
Barcelona accused Atlético of trying to delay the match and claimed that the grass was too long in the quarter-finals. Tottenham said ahead of their last-16 encounter that large amounts of water had been sprinkled on the pitch and the sprinklers had been activated before kick-off, but Arsenal attacked hard as they swapped ends after the coin toss.
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Atlético then flooded the pitch at half-time, showering the end Arsenal were defending with large amounts of water. UEFA has strict rules regarding the condition of pitches, which state that “the home club must make every reasonable effort to ensure that the pitch is in the best possible condition” and will be subject to rigorous inspections before matches.
UEFA’s Article 34 also states: “The home club must respect the pitch cutting guidelines for natural grass pitches. The grass height must not exceed 30mm and the entire playing surface must be cut to the same height.”
“The grass height should be the same for both training sessions and matches. If the referee or the UEFA match representative deems it necessary, the home club may be required to reduce the grass height for matches and training sessions.”
“The pitch watering schedule must be communicated by the home club at an organizational meeting. The pitch must be watered evenly and not just in specific areas.”
Atletico Madrid have been accused of trying to delay the match by using the grass (Image: Manu Reino/Getty Images)
“As a general rule, water supply to the pitch must end 60 minutes before kick-off. However, at the home club’s decision, water supply to the pitch may also occur between 10 and 5 minutes before kick-off and/or during half-time, for up to 5 minutes and thereafter.”
UEFA is gathering evidence and investigating the matter, but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will take further action.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s reaction on the touchline when officials confirmed on VAR footage that referee Danny McCarey had changed his mind about the penalty could put him in trouble.
It depends on whether the fourth official alerts the referee to the issue and the referee includes it in his report. UEFA may ask the VAR team for feedback after McCarey looked at the screen footage 13 times before changing his mind.
This is disproportionate considering VAR is only concerned with obvious mistakes, but Mikel Arteta’s post-match complaints will probably get his point across heading into the second leg. Gunners midfielder Declan Rice claimed on television that the referee may have been influenced by the home crowd, which could mean bias under Premier League rules, but that it would be highly unusual for UEFA to intervene.
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