After Neymar and Veríssimo criticism, Santos fixes Vila Belmiro pitch irrigation fault | OneFootball

Santos have resolved an irrigation fault on the Vila Belmiro pitch after the 1-1 draw with Corinthians prompted criticism from Neymar and Lucas Veríssimo.

According to Diario Do Peixe, a pipe burst a few hours before Sunday’s clássico in the sixth round of the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, and maintenance in recent days has restored the system.

After the match Neymar complained publicly, arguing the surface is the board’s responsibility and that a derby cannot suffer broken irrigation. He said it slowed the game and hurt Santos, while not excusing their performance but spoiling the spectacle.

Presented on Tuesday, defender Lucas Veríssimo also condemned the state of the turf, saying he had not seen Vila Belmiro in such condition and that good football starts with the pitch.

Internally, Neymar’s remarks were poorly received, particularly for directing blame at the hierarchy, though the club has treated the episode as isolated. The board says the pitch will be in normal condition for Internacional’s visit on Wednesday at 21:30, the seventh round.

Source: Diario Do Peixe