NETHERLANDS stars Virgil van Dijk and Wout Weghorst lashed out after beating Greece to clear the best way for Euro 2024 qualification.
The Oranje beat the Greeks 1-0 at OPAP Enviornment in Athens and Ronald Koeman’s aspect now must beat both the Republic of Eire or Gibraltar to verify their place within the finals in Germany.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk blasted the pitch at OPAP Enviornment in GreeceCredit score: Rex
Ex-Manchester United participant Wout Weghorst claimed it was the “worst pitch” he ever performed onCredit score: Rex
However after the sport, Liverpool star Van Dijk – who scored the winner from the penalty spot – was fuming with the state of the pitch.
The centre-back lambasted the “horrible” state of AEK Athens’ floor and prompt that shouldn’t be allowed “at this degree”.
Van Dijk mentioned: “Have you ever seen the pitch? Horrible. It’s unbelievable that that is nonetheless allowed at this degree.”
Hoffenheim star Weghorst took it up a notch by claiming that was the “worst pitch” he has ever performed on.
The Burnley loanee, who had an unsuccessful stint at Manchester United final season, even claimed there have been stones on the grass.
Weghorst mentioned: “This was the worst pitch I’ve ever performed soccer on.
“We knew it wouldn’t be a simple recreation right here, given the circumstances and the best way the opposition performed. The stress was there.
“Not a lot from the group, however primarily from the pitch which was very unhealthy. There have been stones on it. The circumstances had been troublesome.”
The supervisor of Grassform Antonis Grimotsis, who supervises soccer pitches within the Greek Superleague, addressed Van Dijk and Weghorst’s claims.
Grimotsis acknowledged that the turf at OPAP Enviornment is being reseeded, which is annual process that takes place when the season is paused and UEFA in addition to the 2 groups had been totally conscious.
He posted on Fb: “The pitch at OPAP Enviornment is within the technique of being reseeded, of which the organising authority, the Dutch nationwide staff and naturally the Greek nationwide staff are conscious.
“It’s a common, annual process that takes place on the break of the championship, it’s simply that in our case it doesn’t exist.
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The pitch at OPAP Enviornment wasn’t as much as par, in line with the NetherlandsCredit score: Focus Pictures
“The taking part in subject is totally protected and playable with an aesthetic deviation as a result of essential, aggressive work.
“OPAP Enviornment has had a busy schedule since its inception [in 2022], which is now being regulated.
“Each the membership administration [AEK] and the upkeep firm are in management and it’s only a matter of time earlier than the problem is lastly resolved.”