Arsenal drew the first leg of their Champions League semi-final against Atletico Madrid 1-1 after club officials made a point of gathering potential evidence to show UEFA
Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at Metropolitano Stadium
Mikel Arteta's side were unhappy with the length of the grass(Image: Getty Images)
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Arsenal can grass up Atletico Madrid to UEFA after their pitch battle in the Metropolitano Stadium.
The Gunners had staff in Madrid who were shown on TV before the game measuring the length of the grass. They have not actually made a formal complaint but probably have evidence to submit something in writing to UEFA should they choose to do so.
UEFA rules state the maximum length of the grass must be no more than 30mm and, despite suggestions it was actually too short, Arsenal clearly did not agree. Arsenal staff were seen remonstrating with UEFA officials before the game and were complaining the grass was too long and above the limit.
Barcelona claimed the grass was too long in their quarter-final as they accused Atletico of trying to slow the game down. Tottenham said the pitch was watered too heavily before their last-16 tie and they turned the sprinklers on before kick-off - but Arsenal spiked their guns because they changed ends after the coin toss.
Atletico then watered the pitch at half time, showering the end Arsenal were defending with more water than the other. There are strict UEFA rules on the state of the pitch which say “the home club must make every reasonable effort to ensure that the pitch is in the best possible condition” and they will undergo strict pre-match checks.
UEFA’s Article 34 also states: “The home club must respect the pitch-cutting guidelines for natural grass pitches. The height of the grass must not exceed 30mm and the entire playing surface must be cut to the same height.
“The height of the grass should be the same for both the training sessions and the match. If deemed necessary by the referee or the UEFA match delegate, the home club may be required to reduce the height of the grass for the match and training sessions.
“The pitch-watering schedule must be communicated by the home club at the organisational meeting. The pitch must be watered evenly and not only in certain areas.
Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid takes a corner
Atletico Madrid have been accused of trying to slow the game down with their grass (Image: Manu Reino/Getty Images)
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“As a general rule, pitch watering must finish 60 minutes before kick-off. However, upon the decision of the home club, pitch watering may also take place after that time: between 10 and 5 minutes before kick-off; and/or during half-time, for a maximum of 5 minutes.”
UEFA have been gathering evidence and looking into the matter but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal take it further.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s reaction on the touchline as the officials reviewed VAR footage around referee Danny Makkelie changing his mind on a penalty could potentially land him in trouble.
That would depend on the fourth official alerting the referee to the issue and him then including it in his report. UEFA may ask the VAR team for feedback after Makkelie viewed the screen footage 13 times before changing his mind.
That is out of step with VAR only getting involved in clear errors but Mikel Arteta’s post-match complaints have probably made his point ahead of the second leg. Gunners midfielder Declan Rice claimed on TV that the referee might have been influenced by the home crowd and, while that could imply bias under Premier League rules, it would be most unusual for UEFA to step in.
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