LaLiga pitches are under scrutiny, recent weeks highlighting how a living surface can influence matches as much as the players.
According to AS, Monday’s Real Sociedad B v Málaga has been moved to Anoeta from Zubieta for maintenance. Koke and Griezmann criticised the Metropolitano surface, while Rayo and Royalverd are racing to decide if Rayo-Atlético stays at Vallecas or moves to Butarque.
Raimon Ferrer, custodian of the Ciutat de València for 40 years, says the pitch must be treated like another player or problems, including injuries, follow.
Roque Buendía, president of the Asociación Española de Greenkeepers, highlights lack of light and ventilation as core issues, with solutions dependent on available resources. Most stadiums now use natural grass or hybrid systems, mesh based or stitched.
The main enemies are roofs that block sun and airflow, heavy rain causing softness and fungus, the sub-base engineering, and usage, including training. Clubs respond with artificial lighting, ventilation, heating and investment.
Since 2016, LaLiga’s agronomist Pedro Fernández-Bolaños has led efforts to standardise quality across 42 professional stadiums, with recent issues considered exceptions.
The Television Broadcast Rulebook sets height at 20-30mm and defines hardness, coverage, uniformity, weed control and resistance, plus a mowing pattern of nine horizontal lines per half. Fernández-Bolaños meets regularly with grounds teams, who must also file detailed matchday reports.
