UEFA rejected a formal complaint from Barcelona regarding the pitch conditions at the Metropolitano Stadium just hours before their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona officials lodged the grievance following concerns raised by manager Hansi Flick. The German coach reportedly expressed frustration during Monday's final training session, specifically targeting the state of the grass.
Flick accused the Atlético Madrid side of using a 'trap' by maintaining a surface that was too dry and excessively long. The Barcelona manager even sought out the UEFA match delegate to personally demonstrate his dissatisfaction with the playing surface.
In response to the tension, UEFA officials conducted an inspection and measurement of the turf on Tuesday morning. The findings cleared the home stadium of any wrongdoing.
According to reports from AS, the measurement revealed the grass stood at 26 millimeters. This figure is four millimeters below the 30-millimeter maximum height permitted under Article 34 of the official regulations.
Atlético denies accusations
Representatives for Atlético Madrid immediately denied the allegations of foul play. The club maintained that the pitch meets all necessary standards for high-level competition.
With the complaint dismissed, the focus shifts back to the match itself. Atlético Madrid enters the second leg with a significant advantage, having secured a 2-0 victory during the first leg at the Camp Nou.
As reported by biobiochile.cl, the atmosphere surrounding the fixture turned volatile even before the opening whistle was set to blow. The dismissal of the complaint leaves Barcelona to find other ways to challenge the 'colchoneros' on the pitch.
