Female players' 'safety at risk' due to poor pitches
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) says the safety of female footballers is being put "at risk" by substandard playing conditions in major matches.
Arsenal were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid in their Women's Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday, in a match played in dreadful conditions at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano.
Playing conditions at the stadium, usually used by the Real Madrid men's reserves team, deteriorated quickly with large patches of mud appearing on the stitched hybrid pitch.
It followed complaints from players and pundits after Saturday's women's League Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City at Pride Park, home of Championship side Derby County.
The pitch featured an uneven surface and large patches of mud and bare turf.
- Pitch for Arsenal loss at Real a disgrace - Wright
- Arsenal lose at Real Madrid on 'disgrace' of a pitch
- Pride Park pitch 'not fit' for League Cup final
The PFA, which is one of the biggest unions for professional footballers, said in a statement on X: "Pitches like this don't just impact the quality of the game, they put player safety at risk.
"On multiple occasions over the last few days, in important ties, our members have been asked to play in substandard conditions.
"World-class players deserve world-class standards, and they are right to expect better."
What happened in the games?
The pitch at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano is deemed an elite surface by Uefa, however, it deteriorated badly before Tuesday's game following heavy rainfall.
Around five to 10mm of rain was forecast to fall in Madrid this week, as Spain is hit by storms.
There was a pitch inspection before kick-off by the refereeing team and it was deemed playable, however, once the game started it began to cut up badly.
It made free-flowing football near impossible for both Arsenal and Real Madrid, with both sets of players covered in mud by full-time.
It was the second such incident in a major women's match in a matter of days, following Chelsea's 2-1 League Cup final win over Manchester City.
The final does not have a permanent home, unlike the men's game which is always played at Wembley, and took place last year at Molineux.
The host club is required to ensure the pitch is in good condition, with venues identified during the winter months to have the resources to deliver a high standard.
No concerns were flagged by match officials during their pre-match checks at Pride Park, however, large patches of mud and sand were visible by the latter stages of the game.
What has the reaction been?
While Uefa has not made an official comment about the state of the pitch during Real Madrid v Arsenal, fierce criticism followed from players, managers and pundits.
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright described the pitch as a "disgrace" in a video on his Instagram page.
Gunners manager Renee Slegers said she did not want to criticise Real Madrid or Uefa, but expressed her unhappiness.
"I think we've seen a couple of games lately where the pitch conditions haven't been great," she said after the match.
"We had a plan for it, but then it's always hard because over a season and over time you work on things and you have an identity, the way you want to do things. Then reality comes and these conditions come and all of a sudden you need to do things differently, so that's hard."
Chelsea's players were much less diplomatic after the women's League Cup final.
"I don't think this surface was fit for a final to be honest with you," Scotland midfielder Erin Cuthbert told BBC One. "We didn't play at our best but we just hung in there."
Blues manager Sonia Bompastor added: "It is a shame to have this pitch for a final, especially when you expect in England to have the best groundsmen and pitches in the world.
"I'm not sure if it was a men's final game it would be the same. We just need to make sure we have the best facilities and grass to play the games."
-
Poor pitches put female players' 'safety at risk'
The PFA says the safety of female footballers is being put "at risk" by substandard playing conditions in major matches.BBC News - 5h -
Women’s football’s ‘sub-standard’ pitches put ‘player safety at risk’, says PFA
Women’s football is putting player safety at risk with the standard of pitches, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has said. The playing surface for top-level matches has been the ...Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Texas A&M falls to Alabama in Game 3 2-0 behind another poor performance at the plate
Texas A&M continues to waste solid pitching due to poor hitting, as the Aggies dropped Game 3 vs. Alabama 2-0 to start SEC play 0-3.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
NTSB makes recommendations on "serious safety risk" after Washington, D.C., midair collision
The National Transportation Safety Board is making a number of recommendations to address what it called a "serious safety risk" after the deadly midair collision in January between a passenger jet ...CBS News - 3h -
Thousands of high-risk toxic sites unchecked due to lack of cash
BBC investigation finds nine out of ten high-risk contaminated areas have not been tested.BBC News - 6d -
Dybala at risk of missing Argentina’s call-up due to injury
Roma takes home the win, but loses Paulo Dybala. Having come on in the 64th minute of Roma-Cagliari, the Argentine was forced to leave the field just eleven minutes later, in tears due to a new ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Firefighters may face increased risk of brain cancer due to chemical exposure: Study
Firefighters may face a heightened risk of developing brain cancer due to their persistent exposure to certain chemicals, a new study has found. In a set of patients who had gliomas — the most ...The Hill - Mar. 10 -
Safety board calls for helicopter ban on certain routes near DC airport: 'Intolerable risk'
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) on Tuesday issued two “urgent” safety recommendations after discovering thousands of close calls between helicopters and planes near Ronald Reagan ...The Hill - Mar. 11 -
'I risked drowning to flee conscription by Congolese rebels'
Thousands of Congolese are opting make a dangerous river crossing to get to safety in Burundi.BBC News - Mar. 5 -
Dybala and Rensch suffer muscle injuries in Cagliari win
Roma’s win over Cagliari did not come without its price to pay.Claudio Ranieri may lose Paulo Dybala and Devyne Rensch for an undefined period of time.Both players walked off the pitch today due to ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
The Players Championship: Rory McIlroy leads Sunday as final round suspended due to weather
Rory McIlroy holds a one-shot lead over J.J. Spaun with play suspended due to lightning.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
What travelers should know about carbon monoxide safety
As millions of Americans travel for spring break, experts suggest packing a carbon monoxide detector to avoid potential risks at your hotel or vacation rental.CBS News - 5d -
Mascherano hopeful on Messi but won't take risks
Inter Miami CF head coach Javier Mascherano said he is optimistic Lionel Messi could make the roster for the match against Charlotte FC on Sunday night at Chase Stadium, though added he was ...ESPN - Mar. 9 -
Women’s players face stark pay divide with average salary less than $11,000, Fifa reports
Female player annual salary across globe averages $10,900 USD One in five head coaches at professional clubs are women The average annual salary for a female professional football player ...The Guardian - 1d -
Thomas Tuchel orders England players to talk more with each other on pitch
More communication wanted in difficult moments Tuchel shows squad Euro 2024 final interactions graph Thomas Tuchel has demanded that England’s players speak to one another more during difficult ...The Guardian - 43m -
Gerrit Cole gets MRI on pitching elbow due to discomfort after rough spring training start
The Yankees ace missed the first two months of last season with an elbow injury.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
Arsenal on alert as target revealed to have “poor relationship” with current manager
Arsenal will be targeting attacking reinforcements during the summer, and one player that could be on their radar is Arda Guler, who they have previously shown interest in over the last 6-12 ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
2025 Players Championship tee times, pairings: Complete field, groups, schedule for Round 4 at TPC Sawgrass
The final round of the Players will begin at 8 a.m. due to the threat of inclement weatherCBS Sports - 3d -
Ireland players in danger of blowing Lions chances after poor Six Nations display against Italy
What a difference in the way we view this Ireland side compared to just a fortnight ago. At the halfway point of the tournament, a Grand Slam felt realistic and Andy Farrell’s touring party for the ...Yahoo Sports - 4d -
How taking care of your teeth could protect your heart and brain health
Dr. Celine Gounder explains how poor dental care can potentially increasing your risk of developing other health conditions.CBS News - 5d -
Michigan Football faces dozens of roster cuts due to NCAA rule change
Michigan Football's spring roster is well over the 105 limit it must be at by fall camp, impacting dozens of players.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
Art Schallock, Oldest Living Former M.L.B. Player, Dies at 100
The left-hander pitched a few dozen games for the Yankees from 1951-54.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
Petoskey's Corey, a four-year starter in goal, not afraid of any pressure on the pitch
Any pressure that comes on game day, Petoskey's Sadie Corey welcomes it. As a four-year starter and all-state player, she's just the player to build around in 2025:Yahoo Sports - 1h -
How a Female-Led AI Startup Achieved a Successful Acquisition
Female founders building AI startups can redefine the space.Inc. - 3d -
Injury report: FSU will be without three defensive players in spring
Florida State will be without three key defensive players — defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins as well as safeties Conrad Hussey and Shyheim Brown — for the spring, coach Mike Norvell announced on ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Roki Sasaki's splitter already looks like one of the best pitches in baseball
Meet the pitch so weird it's giving MLB's pitch-tracking system problems.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 11 -
Some universities are freezing hiring as Trump threatens federal funding
Universities across the U.S. have announced hiring freezes due to the risk of federal funding cuts under President Donald Trump’s administrationABC News - 6d -
Safety Hamlin returning to Bills on one-year deal
The Bills have re-signed safety Damar Hamlin to a one-year extension.ESPN - Mar. 12 -
Former Panthers safety signing with division rival
Former Panthers safety Jordan Fuller is staying in the NFC South for 2025.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Gay Australian soccer player says he receives 'multiple death threats' daily
MELBOURNE — Australia’s first openly gay soccer player Josh Cavallo said he receives multiple death threats every day and would find it difficult to encourage other footballers to come out due to ...NBC News - 1d -
Best-in-Class Business Advice From Famed Female Founders
This year’s Female Founders board of advisers share their top hard-won tips, from failing up to following your north star.Inc. - Mar. 11 -
Vote in a best-of-the-best poll for Erie County's female winter athletes
The Erie Times-News is running a special ballot to determine Erie County's best female winter athlete among its past poll victors.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Auto show pulls Tesla over safety concerns
The Vancouver International Auto Show removed Tesla products a day before the slated event over safety concerns. "The Vancouver Auto Show’s primary concern is the safety of attendees, exhibitors, ...The Hill - 7h -
Mar 19: CBS News 24/7, 10am ET
President Trump to speak with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy after Russia agrees to partial ceasefire; Scientists warn about public safety risk during severe weather amid NOAA job cuts.CBS News - 3h -
Patriots agree to new deal with veteran safety
The New England Patriots announced they have re-signed veteran safety Jaylinn Hawkins to a new deal.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Patriots continue to boost secondary with veteran safety signing
The New England Patriots added to their secondary on Friday by signing veteran safety Marcus Epps.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Rubio emerges as major Trump World player
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is finding himself in a sometimes uncomfortable spotlight in his high-risk, high-reward place as a Trump administration Cabinet official. Rubio is not a ...The Hill - Mar. 12 -
Five best 2025 NFL free agency moves: These teams and players shine
Here are the five best moves after the first wave of free agency. One calculated risk. An offensive line fortified. A star goes West.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Mets Spring Training Notes: Edwin Diaz to pitch back-to-back; injury updates on Sean Manaea, Jesse Winker
Before the Mets take on the Houston Astros on Wednesday, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke briefly on a couple of topics, including the health of some of his injured players and what the plan is for ...Yahoo Sports - 1h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 18m -
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 18m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Texans named 'best fit' for top 2025 WR draft prospect
The Houston Texans could be back in the running for the one wide receiver everyone wants to reunite with C.J. Stroud.Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 18m -
First Four announcers for Princeton vs Iowa State: Who's calling the ESPNU game?
Who's calling the opening game of the 2025 women's NCAA tournament?Yahoo Sports - 18m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
All-Star guards Thompson, Haliburton to miss Mavs-Pacers game as Anthony Davis progresses
All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Tyrese Haliburton have been ruled out of Wednesday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers. Thompson will not play because of an illness, another ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Texans named 'best fit' for top 2025 WR draft prospect
The Houston Texans could be back in the running for the one wide receiver everyone wants to reunite with C.J. Stroud.Yahoo Sports - 21m