Riazor pitch damage after invasion forces hand-stitched turf for Spain v Iraq | OneFootball

Riazor faces urgent repairs after a pitch invasion during Deportivo’s promotion celebrations, with emergency work to ready the surface for Spain’s friendly against Iraq on Thursday. According to Superdeporte, the club and federation grounds teams spent Monday morning assessing extensive damage.

Deportivo have told the Spanish federation they will be ready in time, and that has calmed officials, who are sure the game will be played. Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, plan to train in A Coruña one day earlier.

The invasion after the match against UD Las Palmas left the hybrid pitch, stitched by machine, most affected and in need of natural turf patches. It was the first time in 26 years, since the league title festivities, that supporters flooded the field in such numbers.

Damage includes a centre spot ripped out, irrigation problems and the Marathon End goal needing repair or replacement after fans climbed on the crossbar. A section near the Marathon area was burned by flares lit on the grass.

With no time for a full fix, the plan is to insert natural sod and hand stitch it into the hybrid over three days. Crews will cut out the worst areas, notably the centre circle, to stabilise the surface.

Beyond the pitch, 727 seats were torn out in the lower tier and 25 in the upper, which must be replaced in the coming days. Kick-off on Thursday is set for 21.00, the final warm-up before heading across the Atlantic.

Source: Superdeporte