After a fatal free slip: the FCB turf causes red heads – the problem is big

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Fabian Frei’s misstep in the cup thriller against Lugano comes at the stupidest time. When the Basel captain took his penalty after a long run-up, he slipped away just before the shot and the ball bounced past the goal without Lugano’s keeper Saipi having to intervene. It is the start of the bitter elimination for FCB after a strong comeback with a Barry double in the closing stages of regular time.

The frustration is great, but Frei refrains from making public comments after the match. He expressed his anger about the less than perfect field in December after the 0-1 defeat against the rankings. “The groundskeepers didn’t do their best either, it’s just shit,” the Thurgauer told Blue – after a heated match in which FCB received an early red card.

Total renovation planned by 2028

This is not the first time that the lawn in St. Jakob Park has caused controversy. The problems lie deeper and have nothing to do with the fact that FCB said goodbye to its old groundskeeper in December. Even the installation of a new grass carpet for around a quarter of a million francs, as has been the case in the past after rock concerts, would not promise any improvement in the long term.

The St. Jakob Park was opened in 2001, the lawn is located above the parking garage of the shopping arena and radiates warmth. The entire substructure of the turf with drainage and grass heating is, like the entire stadium, aging. An additional problem is the warm and wet winter in Switzerland, which is not good for the quality of a football turf field.

The Joggeli is expected to be completely renovated in 2028. Costs: more than 50 million francs. According to the Stadion St. Jakob-Park cooperative, the owner of the stadium, the majority of the costs should be borne by the public sector. As a result of the awarding of the Women’s European Championship, certain work needs to be completed in view of the tournament in the summer of 2025, as the opening match and the final will take place in Basel.

New turf and substructure for the Women’s European Championship?

A new construction of the square would also be conceivable in this step. Here too the problem: financing. “The complete renovation would cost several million francs,” says FCB media manager Simon Walter. The question of who should pay for what causes red heads in and around Basel. Politicians, owners, tenants and European Championship organizers do not yet agree, discussions are ongoing.

One thing is clear: FCB will not be able to get rid of its turf problem so quickly. And coach Fabio Celestini did not want to use the bad grass as an excuse anyway: “The field is the same for everyone.” Basel’s Djordje Jovanovic proves that you can score despite a slip, converting his penalty during a fall. Little consolation for Frei and FCB. The cup opportunity has been missed – and with it the chance to save the season that has been ruined so far.

Source : Blick