The pitch has taken a battering this season
The FA have agreed to completely overhaul the pitch at Wembley Stadium before Euro 2020, following orders from UEFA.
The state of the pitch has been heavily criticised over the past few months after the stadium hosted an Anthony Joshua fight and a string of NFL matches, as well as all of Tottenham Hotspur’s home fixtures.
Of course, Spurs had intended to play at their new stadium on the site of the old White Hart Lane this season, which will have a retractable NFL pitch, but setbacks have meant that they have had to play at Wembley again this season. They hope to move into their new home in January.
Former Chelsea and Spurs goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini described the surface as a “potato field”.
But now UEFA have insisted that the Football Association must resolve the issue either by relaying a new pitch or a complete overhaul which could cost up to £3m to be ready to stage the Euro 2020 games, including the final and England’s Group matches.
UEFA Events chief executive Martin Kallen said: “Three months ago we would not have worried about it all.
“However, we met with the staff at Wembley after the recent Champions League games and they have said they will install a brand new pitch before the Euro 2020 finals.
“We are satisfied that their ground staff are doing everything they can it is just that they have hosted too many events in a short space of time.
“They are learning lessons and we are confident everything will be fine by the tournament.”
UEFA have also agreed that Tottenham will be able to play their European fixtures at the new stadium after they eventually move in, despite having played at Wembley in the Champions League so far this season.
