'Slightly worried' UEFA confident Final pitch will be playable - if not very green - Sport

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Not pretty but playable: The Luzhniki Stadium pitch

A second pitch was required after the initial one, placed on top of the 'plastic' surface that is normally used at the stadium last October, was deemed unacceptable.UEFA officials are happy that the pitch will be playable, but spokesman WilliamGaillard said: "We are slightly worried about the look of it.

"In terms of the quality, we have made some tests in the last few days and it is perfectly fine."It may not look very, very green on television, but, essentially, it is a good pitch to play football on. At this stage, we are confident it will be fine."Frost is relieved that he managed to talk stadium bosses into spending £160,000on a second grass surface, adding: "If I hadn't persuaded them, they would haveused the old one which would have been a catastrophe."