Speaking in a press conference ahead of Lille’s Ligue 1 match against Brest on Sunday, manager Paulo Fonseca expressed his frustration with the state of his home pitch at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Despite significant damage caused by the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the turf is not set to be replaced, and this decision has left the Portuguese manager exasperated in a press conference attended by RMC Sport.
“I struggle to understand this decision. We must also consider the sport of football. It’s not just about Lille’s stadium; it’s about the quality of the game. The condition of the pitch is catastrophic, and it’s impossible to witness a good match with such a subpar playing surface.”
The recent stint of the French national football team playing on the already- deteriorated pitch at the Pierre-Mauroy, coupled with critical comments from national coach Didier Deschamps, has failed to sway the local authorities in Lille. They have declared their intention to retain the current playing surface, regardless of the damage inflicted by the five Rugby World Cup matches held at the venue.
GFFN | George Boxall
