What Happened at Riazor?
After Deportivo’s win over UD Las Palmas, fans flooded the pitch to celebrate. The excitement was huge – it had been 26 years since the blue‑white supporters had taken over the field like this. Unfortunately, the celebration left the grass in bad shape.
Celebration Turns Into Damage
Supporters climbed over the crossbar, lit flares, and walked all over the surface. The central spot of the field was torn away, and a section near the Marathon goal got burned by the flames. Irrigation lines and other parts of the pitch also suffered.
Why the Grass Matters
Riazor uses a hybrid turf that mixes natural grass with synthetic fibers, stitched together by machine. This surface needs to be in good condition for the upcoming friendly between Spain and Iraq, set for Thursday evening.
The Repair Plan
Club staff and Federation technicians got to work early this morning to assess the damage and decide what to do.
Natural Sod and Hand‑Sewing
The fastest solution is to cut out the damaged pieces and replace them with fresh natural sod. Because there isn’t enough time to re‑lay the whole hybrid mat, workers will sew the new sod by hand into the existing turf. This careful stitching will take about three days.
Fixing the Marathon Goal Area
The area around the Marathon goal, which was scorched by flares, will also get new sod and hand‑stitched repairs. The goal itself may need to be replaced or repaired, depending on how badly the crossbar was bent.
Seats and Other Details
The invasion didn’t just hurt the pitch – it also damaged the stadium.
Missing Seats to Replace
Fans broke 727 seats in the lower ring and 25 in the upper ring. Those will be swapped out in the coming days so the venue is ready for Thursday’s match.
Team Training Schedule
Spain’s national team, led by Luis de la Fuente, plans to train at Riazor on Wednesday to get used to the surface before the friendly.
Will the Match Go On?
Despite the rush, officials say the game is not in danger. The club has assured the Royal Spanish Football Federation that the repairs will be finished in time. Federation representatives are confident the Spain‑Iraq friendly will kick off at 9:00 p.m. as scheduled.
Conclusion
The wild celebration after Deportivo’s victory left Riazor’s hybrid turf and seating in need of quick fixes. By laying fresh natural sod and hand‑sewing it into the existing surface, workers aim to have the pitch ready for Spain’s friendly against Iraq. Seats will be replaced, and the team will have a chance to train on the field beforehand. Thanks to the fast response from both club and Federation staff, the match should go ahead without a hitch.
Source
Images Credit: www.diariodemallorca.es