News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

This article was first published 7 years ago
Rediff.com  » Sports » France v Switzerland: From ripped shirts, to cut-up pitch, to burst ball...

France v Switzerland: From ripped shirts, to cut-up pitch, to burst ball...

June 20, 2016 10:16 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Switzerland's Granit Xhaka

IMAGE: Switzerland's Granit Xhaka rips his shirt. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters.

While France and Switzerland largely got what they wanted with a 0-0 draw at Euro 2016 on Sunday, it was a night of shame for ground staff and sports manufacturers.

Four Swiss players had to change ripped shirts, the Adidas match ball, sold outside for 140 euros (£109), burst and a cut-up pitch at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, that had to be patched up by groundsmen at halftime, sent players sliding.

Granit Xhaka

IMAGE: Switzerland's Granit Xhaka has his shirt ripped after a challenge by France's Paul Pogba. Photograph: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters.

The Lille pitch, beneath a retractable roof, still has to host an Italy v Ireland clash on Wednesday, a last-16 fixture and a quarter-final.

"It was better in Marseille but it was annoying. I don't know who is responsible. We're only in the group stage and having a pitch in that state already is not a good thing," said France coach Didier Deschamps.

Switzerland counterpart Vladimir Petkovic said the pitch had definitely affected the quality of the game.

Ground staff

IMAGE:  Groundstaff work on the pitch at half time. Photograph: Carl Recine.

"I really hope they're able to dry the pitch because it doesn't hold up well, but it was the same for both sides so we can't complain," he said.

Petkovic was less critical of his side's Puma-made shirts.

"If a shirt is pulled occasionally they can come apart at the seams. There were four and a maybe a fifth one at the end. If you pull shirts they do break," he said.

Goalkeeper and man of the match Yann Sommer, whose shirt was not ripped, said the kit damage was more down to the nature of the match.

"It can happen. It means it was a fight on the pitch, with lots of duels. A jersey can fail. Of course today we had a lot. I can't say we have to change because Puma is great," he concluded.

- Euro 2016 Coverage 

Euro 2016 Schedule

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024

INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE 2024