Women’s football’s ‘sub-standard’ pitches put ‘player safety at risk’, says PFA
The playing surface for top-level matches has been the source of criticism twice in the last week following Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final tie between Real Madrid and Arsenal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium and Saturday’s Subway League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Pride Park.
The conditions were described as “sub-standard” by the PFA, the players’ union for professional football in England.
“Pitches like this don’t just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk,” a PFA spokesperson told
“On multiple occasions over the past few days, in important ties, our members have been asked to play in sub-standard conditions.
“World-class players deserve world-class standards, and they are right to expect better.”
Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor had questioned whether the pitch quality would be tolerated in the men’s game after her side beat Manchester City to win the Subway Women’s Cup on Saturday, while midfielder Erin Cuthbert said it was not fit for a cup final.
The surface at Pride Park, home to Championship Derby County, appeared cut up, sandy and bobbly.
“It’s a bit of a shame to have this pitch for a final, especially when you expect England to have the best pitches in the world,” Bompastor said. “I’m not sure if it was a men’s final game it would be the same, so we just need to make sure we have the best facilities to play the games.”
Pride Park was announced as the final venue in December, with host grounds selected in part for their ability to maintain a high quality pitch in the winter months. Sources with knowledge of the hosting venue criteria indicated the responsibility for maintaining the quality of the playing surface falls on the host club. contacted Derby for comment.
The surface at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Tuesday, meanwhile, was boggy and appeared to impact the speed of the ball. Former Arsenal forward Ian Wright labelled it “a disgrace”.
Real Madrid midfielder Melanie Leupolz left the pitch in tears, having sustained an injury after appearing to kick the surface as she played a pass.
contacted UEFA for comment.
This article originally appeared in The Athletic.
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