|
Uncertainty surrounds the condition of the Wembley pitch for Tottenham Hotspur's home game against Premier League leaders Manchester City on Monday, sources have told ESPN FC. The state of the surface will have been affected by the NFL games that have been played at the national stadium during the last two weekends. Another, between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars is scheduled to be take place on Sunday, the day before City travel to London, and there are fears that bad weather in the build-up could pose further problems. A Wembley Stadium spokesperson told ESPN FC: "We are doing everything we can to help accommodate Tottenham Hotspur's 2018-19 home fixtures whilst construction of their new stadium continues. "Maintaining the high standard of Wembley Stadium's pitch has therefore been more challenging as a consequence. However, our excellent ground staff continue to work tirelessly to ensure the pitch is in the best possible condition for all Wembley Stadium events." Sources have told ESPN FC that Spurs gave City the opportunity to play the match at the Etihad Stadium but the offer was declined, adding that there was realism about the state of the pitch but no concern that it could threaten player safety. The Wembley surface is a mixture of grass and artificial fibres, meaning it is more resilient than most and does not rip up dangerously in the way some others can do. There are no plans to bring in extra groundstaff or work through the night before the game because there is a limit to the improvements that can feasibly be achieved. NFL logos are likely to be visible on the surface and although they are water based and wash off, pouring too much water on the pitch could damage it. However, the sources told ESPN FC that the players would probably be unaware of them, seeing only the football markings, and that the surface may look worse from the stands than it really is. Speaking earlier this month, when parts of the surface had turned brown after being covered in breathable plastic during a boxing match between Anthony Joshua and Alexander Povetkin, Toby Alderweireld told ESPN FC that "on the pitch, it was all good. It looked worse than it was." The discolouring, caused by a lack of sunlight, has not worsened because the surface has not been covered since the boxing match.
|
