Rostov pitch deemed unplayable following Man United clash

Russian Football Premier League says games cannot be played there unless improved

Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo on the Rostov pitch ahead of their Europa League clash last week. Photo: Maxim Shemetov/Livepic
Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo on the Rostov pitch ahead of their Europa League clash last week. Photo: Maxim Shemetov/Livepic

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho's complaints about the playing surface at FC Rostov's Olimp-2 may have fallen on deaf ears at UEFA, but not the Russian Football Premier League.

The RFPL on Wednesday announced it had deemed the surface unplayable.

“The ban is imposed until the identified shortcomings are eliminated and the fields are brought into line with the established requirements of the regulatory documents,” a statement from the RFPL said.

UEFA dismissed Mourinho’s complaints about the threadbare turf prior to last week’s Europa League last-16 first-leg clash.

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United drew 1-1 and host FC Rostov in Thursday night’s second leg at Old Trafford.

The RFPL statement also applied to the Central Stadium in Kazan.