Redknapp: Plastic not fantastic

Sky Sports expert slams decision to play on artificial pitch

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 18th October 2007   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Redknapp: Plastic not fantastic

Moscow: Artificial surface

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Jamie Redknapp has slammed the decision to allow England to play against Russia on an artificial surface.

The former England midfielder, who was an expert summariser for Sky Sports in Moscow, felt the pitch played a big part in the 2-1 defeat for Steve McClaren's side.

"Steve McClaren won't use it as an excuse, but the pitch was rubbish. He won't hide behind it, but football should be played on grass and not plastic," Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail.

Anger

"I am angry about this: Uefa or the FA should not have allowed this game to go ahead on this surface.

"No way. The ball was bobbling, it was getting stuck under feet and how many times did you see a player comfortable to run with it?

"I walked on the pitch before the game and it was horrible. We ended up with an artificial game on an artificial surface. Well done to Guus Hiddink and the Russia Federation - they got one over us.

"Tell me this, if it is such a wonderful surface then why is it being replaced with grass for the Champions League Final being played in the same stadium? If it's such a good surface and endorsed by Uefa, keep it for their premier club game.

"Oh no. It's good enough for England, suits Russia's gameplan and, in the meantime, we have been mugged. The manager can't say it, the players might not feel able to say it. But I can. It's nonsense, absolute nonsense."