Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor questioned whether the standard of the Women’s League Cup final pitch would have been accepted in the men’s game.
Saturday’s final between Chelsea and Manchester City was hosted at Derby County’s Pride Park, with the playing surface bobbly and cut up, and with large portions appearing sandy.
Chelsea won 2-1 to claim the season’s first piece of silverware, but players and coaches from both sides were critical of the pitch at full time.
“I don’t think the surface was fit for a final, to be honest with you,” Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert told BBC Sport. “But we have to play the game.”
“I totally agree (with Cuthbert),” Bompastor said in her post-match press conference.
“It’s a bit of a shame to have this pitch for a final, especially when you expect England to have the best pitches in the world. I’m not sure if it was a men’s final game it would be the same, so we just need to make sure we have the best facilities to play the games.”
Pride Park was announced as the final venue in December, with host grounds selected in part for their ability to maintain a high quality pitch in the winter months. Sources with knowledge of the hosting venue criteria indicated the responsibility for maintaining the quality of the…
