The UEFA Champions League first qualifying round first leg clash between FC Santa Coloma of Andorra and Birkirkara FC has been called off by UEFA due to the bad condition of the pitch of the Estadi Comunal in Andorra La Vella.
The European body announced that the match was cancelled as the “playing surface is not conducive for the health and safety of the players.”
The pitch of the Estadi Comunal was in a terrible state, rendering it dangerous for the health and safety of players. New layers of carpet grass were installed, replacing patches which actually lacked turf. Works continued on Tuesday.
However following another inspection on Tuesday afternoon, the UEFA Delegate deemed the condition of the pitch to pose a threat to the safety of the players.
The decision to call off the match was taken during the second technical meeting which was held this afternoon at 16:00 during which the UEFA Delegate and referees decided that the match could not be played. The match could not be postponed to another day since next Thursday 1st July, the same stadium is due to host the UEFA Europa League first qualifying round first leg between UE Santa Coloma and FK Mogren of Montenegro.
Birkirkara FC will wait for the final decision from UEFA which will be communicated within the coming days.
But this decision will probably mean that Birkirkara will be awarded a 3-0 win.
Birkirkara will be hosting FC Santa Coloma in the second leg on Tuesday July 6th at the Centenary Stadium.