Spain to lodge complaint over Gdansk grass

The Spanish football federation is to lodge a complaint with UEFA about the state of the pitch at the Gdansk Arena, after the European champions' opening 1-1 draw with Italy on Sunday.

A source close to the federation told AFP that they would be complaining to European football's governing body after a number of players, including Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas, complained about the condition of the grass.

Barca striker Fabregas claimed the surface was "a disgrace" and bone dry.

At a news conference after the match, coach Vicente Del Bosque backed his players.

"I simply find it a shame that the grass was so dry. That destroyed the quality of the entertainment," he told reporters.