In recent days, a heated debate has been ongoing on social media and among football fans regarding the turf of the "Bunyodkor" stadium. The discussions intensified after a major concert was held there on August 7 by one of the world’s most famous stars — Jennifer Lopez.
Some complain: “The field is completely ruined, now closed for football,” while others defend: “The stadium belongs to the people, we have the right to hold concerts there.”
Indeed, the stadium belongs to the people, but a public asset should not be destroyed — it should be preserved and protected. After all, it is not someone’s private property but a shared cultural and sporting heritage.
Some say: “Concerts are also held in stadiums abroad.” But the question arises: do they know how the turf is protected there? For example, at Real Madrid’s "Santiago Bernabéu" stadium, the pitch is completely lowered underground using a special mechanism. Underground, there are all modern conditions to maintain the grass.
Nevertheless, in 2024, many concerts scheduled at this venue were canceled due to complaints from local residents about noise and traffic jams. Closed roads, congestion, and disturbance of peace may have tired them out.
Retractable-pitch stadiums exist not only in Spain but also in Germany, Japan, and England’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Those stadiums without a movable pitch use different methods. For instance, at London’s famous "Wembley" stadium, expensive TerraTrakPlus panels are laid over the turf. This technology allows even 80-ton cranes to enter for stage construction without damaging the grass. After the construction is complete, light-permeable TerraFlor panels are placed on top. These panels allow people and equipment to move while protecting the turf.
Of course, such services are not cheap. It is unknown whether such modern technologies were used here. What is known is that even a relatively light stage damaged the field’s drainage system, and a large part of the turf was destroyed.
As a result, "Bunyodkor", which has produced many talented young players for Uzbek football, is now forced to look for another venue for its home games. "Bunyodkor" might get used to it, but the bigger question is — where will our national team, which has qualified for the World Cup for the first time and is expected to host the CAFA tournament, play? — wrote "Pakhtakor" club’s sporting director Ravshan Salimov on his Telegram page.
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