Arsenal chief Renee Slegers fears that more players will be injured if matches continue to be played in the under standard fields.
The loss of the Gunners 2-0 Champions League in Real Madrid on Tuesday evening took place on a strict rainfall, which was labeled a “shame” by former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
It was held at Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium, the home with 6,000 real reserve seats, while Arsenal is guaranteed a better step when they wait for Liverpool in WSL in Emirates Stadium, Live in Sky Sports This Saturday, as well as the Real Return Foot next Wednesday.
“Of course we like to play on a good surface, I think every team does. It makes football a little easier,” Slegers said.
“I think women’s football deserves to play on good surfaces. Not just because of the dangers of player damage.”
Conditions seemed to have caused a bad injury to Real Melanie Leupolz, who caught her studs in the mud while playing a pass, with the German midfielder leaving the field to tears.
Real later confirmed that the former Chelsea player had suffered a torn side ligament and will be avoided for two months.
“This is not for me to appreciate and that would be a difficult call for anyone to do, why did it happen,” Slegers said.
“But there has been an injury to the field and, yes, we want good fields for the health of the players.”
Signe Bruun of Real Madrid during the first match of the First League of Women’s Champions
There was also criticism of the game surface in the Derby Pride Park, which hosted the final of the Sunday League Cup between Chelsea and Manchester City, and for which blues midfielder Erin Cuthbert said “was not suitable for a final”.
Speaking before Sunday’s WSL match with City, Chelsea Sonia Bommaster’s chief said: “I think this is not acceptable to be able to play in bad fields, first of all because of quality, but also, and perhaps, because of the safety of players.
“I think this is something we really have to take into account, being in 2025, we are in the modern world where in women’s game we need to have the best fields possible.
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Chelsea manager Sonia Bommaster says her first trophy as Chelsea’s manager ‘feels good’.
“It’s never easy to talk about other clubs, but when they have such a good team on the side of men and a good stadium, I think they should take some responsibility to have the women’s team to play at the big stadium in Madrid.
“UEFA has to make some decisions and they have to impose on clubs to be able to take a different step, especially when it is an international break for men and the big stadium is available.
“I know it costs money, for sure, but if you want to help women’s football, you have to make those decisions.”
Saturday’s next match at WSL Sheh Crystal Palace at the end of Rock, who won only their second match against Aston Villa last weekend, travel to Everton eighth.
“They probably threw a rescue boat last weekend,” said Toffees Chief Brian Sorensen.
“They know if they can continue and do the same tomorrow, they will be in a good place for the last five games of the season.”
