Title: High-Stakes Match Proceeds Amid Stadium Pitch Concerns in Tabriz
A major domestic football fixture between Tractor and Persepolis is set against a backdrop of logistical challenges concerning the playing surface at Tabriz’s Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium.
Pitch Problems Cause Pre-Match Anxiety
With less than two weeks until the crucial match, the condition of the stadium’s hybrid grass pitch remains a significant concern. Despite a six-month operational project, the turf has reportedly not reached an ideal state. The situation has become a primary worry for the Tabriz-based club, Tractor, raising the possibility of the match being relocated from the stadium.
This concern persists even as Tractor recently secured a major administrative victory by obtaining permission for its fans to attend the match.
Official Explanations Fail to Satisfy
Authorities from the East Azerbaijan Province’s Department of Sports and Youth have been unable to restore the pitch to a satisfactory condition. Their public statements on the matter have so far failed to appease concerned Tractor supporters. The core issue appears to be that approximately 70% of the natural grass has not grown adequately.
The pitch’s poor quality was highlighted after Tractor’s recent match against Al-Shorta, where players reportedly sustained injuries. One player described it as “the worst pitch I have ever seen!” due to the insufficient natural grass, which created a surface somewhere between artificial turf and dirt.
A Question of Responsibility and Timing
Local sports managers have suggested that Tractor’s insistence on hosting a previous match at the stadium contributed to the current situation. However, this has been met with skepticism. Critics point out that the same officials had previously praised the pitch’s readiness. Furthermore, questions have been raised about the management of the project’s timeline, given the significant 60-billion Tomans investment. Some argue the Department could have refused to host matches earlier to avoid risking damage to the turf, thus preventing a potentially greater cost to Tabriz football.
Underlying Causes Emerge
Information from sources close to the matter points to “pest infestation and fungal growth” as the primary reasons for the pitch’s state, issues directly related to maintenance. Other contributing factors reportedly include:
- A delayed start to the mandatory re-seeding process.
- A failure to prevent individuals from walking on the turf with non-sterilized footwear.
While the quality of the grass seed and the initial installation by the Turkish consultant and contractor are not in doubt, efforts to eradicate the pests have so far been unsuccessful.
A Crucial Match Amid Uncertainty
With new images showing little improvement in the pitch’s quality, this remains Tractor’s biggest worry ahead of the high-stakes encounter. The Head of the East Azerbaijan Department of Sports had previously assured the public that the Persepolis match would be held at Yadegar-e-Emam Stadium to showcase its quality. However, a previous match was ultimately moved to the Bonab Diesel Stadium due to the poor conditions, and fans now fear a repeat or that a game played at Yadegar-e-Emam could cause irreversible damage to the pitch.