Sonia Bompastor: Chelsea boss says Uefa must help tackle ‘unacceptable’ pitches
Bompastor said she had a responsibility to “boosted our voice” but hoped that the governing bodies of European football would also play a role.
Bompastor added: “About two or three weeks ago, I watched Real Madrid already play against Barcelona and the stadium was really bad.”
“I think… UEFA should make some decisions and should (force) the clubs to have another stadium, especially when it’s an international break for the men’s side, and the stadium – the big stadium – can offer.
“I know it will cost money, but if you want to help women’s football, you need to make this decision.”
The stadium at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano was regarded as an elite surface by UEFA, but it worsened before Tuesday’s game after the heavy rain.
The game officers checked before the kickoff and were considered playable, but once the game started, it started to drastically reduce.
Meanwhile, in the Chelsea League Cup final, Pride Park’s stadium was uneven, with dirt and exposed turf.
Manchester City interim boss Nick Cushing said the incidents in Derby and Madrid were “two isolated incidents.”
“The stadium I learned from Madrid is a weather-related issue, which is really difficult. I’m sure the stadium in Real Madrid is usually much better than that,” Cushing said.
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers refused to blame the stadium for his team’s 2-0 defeat in the first leg of the quarter-finals, but expressed welcomed the response to game conditions.
“I think it’s good, women’s football should play on a good surface, and it’s also due to the injury of the player,” she said.
