Wembley promises perfect pitch for final
Reuters - Thursday 25 November 2010, 17:48
LONDON - The Wembley Stadium pitch will be
in outstanding condition for this season's Champions League
final, the chairman of Wembley David Bernstein said on Thursday.
The pitch was heavily criticised following the stadium's
re-opening in 2007 but has improved dramatically this season
following a series of new innovations.
"We did have some well-publicised issues surrounding the
pitch. But I can say with total confidence they are all behind
us," Bernstein said after UEFA unveiled the branding for the
match.
"The new system installed in the latter part of this year
has been outstanding and been complimented on by managers and
the players who have used it.
"We are confident it will be of the highest standard for the
Champions League final and worthy of Europe's top two teams."
He also told Reuters: "I am confident the pitch will be in
outstanding condition. There is no non-football related actvity,
no concerts or anything on the pitch in the months leading up to
the final. The stadium will be a fitting venue for the biggest
match in club football."
The final will take place on May 28 and will be the first
back in London since Barcelona beat Sampdoria in the 1992
European Cup final, the last before the Champions League began
the following season.
The old Wembley also hosted the finals in 1963, 1968, 1971,
and 1978.
"There are three London clubs in the competition, Chelsea,
Arsenal and my old team Spurs, but its an odd fact that no
London club has ever won the European Cup. Perhaps this season,
with the final at Wembley, we will see the first," former
England captain Gary Lineker said.
UEFA announced on Thursday that the women's Champions League
final will also be staged in London and played at Fulham's
Craven Cottage ground on May 26.