Barcelona have issued a statement confirming a commitment with UEFA regarding the length of the grass at the Metropolitano Stadium ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona, who trail 2-0 from the first leg, have moved to address concerns over pitch conditions after head coach Hansi Flick reportedly approached the UEFA match delegate during Monday’s training session to comment on the grass height.
While Barcelona denied making an official complaint, the club has now confirmed that following a meeting on Tuesday morning, an agreement has been reached.
“We have a commitment with UEFA and can confirm that the pitch will be in perfect condition,” the club said in a statement. “To be more precise, it will be cut to 26mm and well watered before kick-off and at half-time.”
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that, at Barcelona’s request, the height of the grass was checked at the stadium on Tuesday morning.
The issue has gained attention following several pitch-related incidents in recent matches at the Metropolitano. During Tottenham’s Champions League meeting with Atletico last month, Antonin Kinsky and Micky van de Ven both slipped, leading to goals for the hosts. In February, Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia also saw the ball bobble under his foot during a 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Atletico.
UEFA Rejects Barcelona VAR Protest
The first leg between the sides was also marked by controversy. Barcelona were angered when Atletico defender Marc Pubill handled the ball inside the area from a goal-kick. The Catalan side argued the ball was in play and that a penalty should have been awarded, but referee Istvan Kovacs disagreed and no VAR review took place.
UEFA has since dismissed Barcelona’s formal protest, declaring it “inadmissible.”
In a statement, European football’s governing body said: “Following the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg played on Wednesday 8 April 2026 between FC Barcelona and Atletico de Madrid, FC Barcelona filed a protest relating to a referee decision. On 13 April 2026, the UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body declared the protest to be inadmissible.”
Despite the two-goal deficit, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick struck a confidence tone in his pre-match press conference.
“Mentality and attitude are important,” Flick said. “Tomorrow, every person is important, every positive thing is important. We have to believe that we can do it, and I have the feeling the team is on the right track.
“We have the quality, and in the games against Atletico, we were often the better team.”