UEFA have implemented rules around watering of pitches at Euro 2024 to avoid a repeat of Manchester United’s clash with Bournemouth.
In April, a Premier League game between the two sides led to mocking on social media after fans spotted one penalty area being noticeably water-logged at the Vitality Stadium.
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Viewers described the match, which ended 2-2, as taking place on a “swimming pool”.
The incident was caused by over-watering before the game.
But no such problems are expected in Germany this summer as a result of regulations put in place by Uefa.
The governing body insist pitch-watering must be announced at the pre-match meeting and has to be distributed evenly across the turf.
The “general rule” will also permit that watering must be concluded one hour before kick-off, although there are times when this could be altered.
The full guidelines read: “The host association must announce the pitch-watering schedule at the pre-match organisational meeting.
“The pitch must be watered evenly and not only in certain areas.
“As a general rule, pitch watering must finish 60 minutes before kick-off.
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“Additional pitch watering may be carried out if so decided by the host association in the qualifying competition and by UEFA in the final tournament, provided it takes place:
- Between 15 and 10 minutes before kick-off (or between 20 and 15 minutes before kick-off during the final tournament depending on the countdown); and/or
- During half-time (for a maximum of five minutes, allowing substitute players to warm up on the field of play).”
The Euros get underway on Friday when hosts Germany take on Scotland in Munich.
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