Riazor pitch patched by hand after promotion invasion to host Spain v Iraq | OneFootball

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Riazor suffered significant damage during Deportivo’s promotion celebrations, forcing emergency hand-stitched natural turf to be laid to keep Thursday’s Spain v Iraq on schedule.

Staff from the club and federation assessed damage on Monday morning, the first mass pitch invasion in 26 years since the title celebrations. The club told the federation they will be ready, reassuring officials the game will be played.

The invasion followed the match against UD Las Palmas. The Marathon end goalframe needs repair or replacement after supporters climbed on the crossbar, the irrigation system was affected and the centre spot was ripped out.

The turf is the main concern. Riazor uses a hybrid surface, natural and synthetic stitched by machine since the club’s return to Segunda. There is no time for a full repair, including a burned area near the Marathon end after flares were lit.

The plan is to lay natural sod and hand stitch the hybrid, cutting out marked damaged sections over the next three days. The match is not considered at risk, though time is short.

Away from the pitch, 727 lower-tier seats and 25 in the upper tier were torn out and will be replaced. Spain are due to train at Riazor on Wednesday before the 21.00 kick-off, their final friendly before travelling across the Atlantic.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo