They have form for this sort of thing
Leicester City have been grabbing the headlines quite a lot in the past few years. There was the great escape in 2015, then there were the funky patterns their groundsmen were mowing into the grass at the King Power which attracted a lot of attention; they famously mowed poppies into the pitch for Remembrance Sunday in 2016. And I think they did something in between those two events, but I can’t quite remember.
The rules have changed since then, meaning that in the Premier League you can only mow the grass into plain, horizontal lines. Spoilsports, I know. Therefore, to add to the special occasion of playing in an FA Cup quarter-final, the Leicester groundsmen decided to have some fun, decorating the pitch with diamonds that intersect the horizontal lines.
It seems to have confused some people.
Loving the Leicester pitch but didn’t think funky pitches were allowed anymore?!?!
— Kelly Marie Laurent (@KellySFCLaurent) March 18, 2018
Leicester pitch is mint! Didn’t think they were allowed all them fancy patterns anymore?
— ⚽️ Dan K 🏏 (@DannySaint1) March 18, 2018
And entertained others.
Even Vincent Van Gough couldn't produce art work like that Leicester pitch
— Connor (@constorerr) March 18, 2018
You're not allowed fancy grass patterns in the Premier League any more, so Leicester's groundsman has clearly had some fun for the FA Cup…
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) March 18, 2018
So good to see the King Power pitch looking spectacular again! Can’t believe the FA think that’s why referees make bad decisions! Come in Leicester! #LCFC #LEICHE pic.twitter.com/N3ngkJF4Ri
— Ben Royston (@bbroyston) March 18, 2018
Some people are not keen and find it distracting.
https://twitter.com/lulumillership/status/975410842618515463
The clash of kits and that Leicester pitch sure ain't good for the eyes. #LeiChe pic.twitter.com/AfLq6x4wfd
— BoyleSports (@BoyleSports) March 18, 2018
While others are concerned that should the referee have to refer to VAR, the pattern will cause even more confusion than there was last time, in Manchester United’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield.
This Leicester pitch is to going to frazzle the VAR.
— Greggsy (@Broxspurs) March 18, 2018
That Leicester pitch design is making me slightly queasy.
On the other hand, might just be a smart move. Could well make the VAR's life an absolute misery.
— Reginaldo Rosario (@Regi1700) March 18, 2018
The lines on Leicester’s pitch are swanky but I think var is going to struggle with it today 😂
— Hols (@HollieAgombar) March 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoyWelch1/status/975408993005899776
I think I speak on behalf of everyone when I say that for the sake of everyone’s enjoyment, I hope VAR is not used today. Or ever, for that matter. But Leicester’s pitch, eh? Pretty impressive work from the groundsmen.