“Tele2 Arena’s Artificial Turf Under Fire For Burns and Drainage Issues”

The newly laid artificial turf at Tele2 Arena has been a constant during the spring. Ahead of this year’s season, the rubber granules in the surface have been replaced with sand, resulting in several players getting scrapes and burns. That is the reason why criticism has been directed at the carpet from several quarters.

Recently it also emerged that Djurgården and Hammarby – who play their home matches on Tele2 – have received a recommendation not to water the carpet. Mats Viker, CEO of the property owner SGA Fastigheter, later said that the artificial grass can handle a certain amount of water, but that irrigation should be done with restraint.

According to Viker, the artificial turf has a drainage problem that will be solved this summer.

“Purely in terms of football, the artificial grass is appreciated by the players, and with the action that is being taken, we get rid of the problems with burns the players get and everyone is very satisfied,” Viker wrote to the Football Channel recently.

Last Thursday, Expressen reported that all parties concerned had been called to a crisis meeting regarding the problems at Tele2 Arena. According to the newspaper, Hammarby, Djurgården, SGA Fastigheter, Stockholm Live and artificial turf supplier Unisport were present.

Now the property owner informs SGA that it is taking action. In an email, CEO Mats Viker states that “the current system is being supplemented with rubber granules so that the system is judged to cope better with the drainage problem” and the measure is planned for week 21.

All parties concerned are informed about the measures, according to Viker.