Keith Hackett: UEFA to step in after Real Madrid vs Arsenal UWCL controversy

03/25/2025 02:45 AM

UEFA may start to intervene on where games are hosted following the pitch controversy during the Women’s Champions League clash between Arsenal and Real Madrid, Keith Hackett has said.

The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider a number of factors will have been considered when deciding to play the game amid the poor quality of the playing surface.

Things did not work out for Arsenal in their first leg of that quarter final tie with Madrid on Tuesday (18 March) as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat in the Spanish capital.

Perhaps the main talking point from that game though, was the condition of the pitch that the match was played on.

Arsenal Women forced to play on below-par pitch in Champions League clash

Rather than being played at Real Madrid‘s main home, the Santiago Bernabeu, the match was held at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.

That ground is more commonly the home of the La Liga giant’s reserve team, who compete in the third-tier of Spanish men’s football.

However, the standard of the pitch was notably worse than what would be expected of any professional pitch, with significant sections covered in mud or lacking grass.

It was an issue that appeared to contribute to an error from Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson that led to the opening goal.

Indeed, after the game, the former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright described the pitch as a “disgrace”, while it was also criticised by the PFA.

Now, Hackett has suggested that UEFA may be forced to get involved to prevent such pitch issues happening again, while also analysing why the match may have gone ahead in such circumstances.

Keith Hackett assesses Gunners’ pitch controversy

After being asked by Football Insider what he made of the decision for the game to go ahead with the pitch in such poor condition, the former referee said:

“I can remember early in my international career officiating at the Bernabeu and at that time it was not the best playing surface to play on.

“Shortly afterwards they appointed an English groundsman to take care of it and the impact was remarkable.

“I understand that the weather in Spain has been poor with lots of rain over recent days. The UEFA referee and match delegate will have made an inspection and under cost pressure will have given the go-ahead for the game to take place.

“When you consider travel costs and accommodation and the potential of a small income from the level of spectators this all adds to the reason the game went ahead.

“I am sure that the Real Madrid players did not want to play in muddy conditions. I can understand the complaints but the condition of the playing surface was the same for both teams.

“UEFA perhaps need to start to have a say where the games are played.”

The attendance for the game was given as 3,102. By contrast, the return leg will be played in front of a much bigger crowd, with Arsenal to host Madrid at The Emirates Stadium on Wednesday (26 March).

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