French clubs to blame for poor Euro 2016 pitches, says Le Graet
French clubs must take responsibility for ensuring the pitches used for Euro 2016 matches are "adapted to top level football", according to French Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet.
UEFA has said it is unhappy with the condition of pitches in several stadiums being used to host Euro 2016 matches, singling out those in Marseille and Lille for criticism.
European football's governing body has ordered pitches in Nice, Marseille and Lille to be replaced at short notice, and Le Graet believes stadium and club owners must do more to keep their playing surfaces in an acceptable state.
> > I would like to tell our clubs that having nice pitches has to be their absolute priority. > > > "The quality of our pitches has to be better. We have great infrastructures but some of our pitches are not adapted to top\-level football. > > > "For Nice, \[replacing the pitch\] worked. For Marseille, it was more complicated but we have indications that it will be better for the matches to come. As for Lille, it is a failure. > > > "Who's to blame? UEFA, the clubs? I think it's time to tell the clubs something needs to be done about this. > >