The pitch in Ludwigspark has no drainage. After the cancellation of the cup game against Gladbach, the city is being called on to react.

The cost explosion in the conversion of the Ludwigspark Stadium in Saarbrücken has been a concern for the taxpayers’ association for years. 16 million euros were originally budgeted for the renovation, but the project has now already swallowed up almost 47 million euros.

While the costs continued to rise, it became clear that savings had been made in the wrong place: professional drainage, which would have cost around €200,000, is still not in place, which is why the pitch is often flooded when it rains. This was also the case on Wednesday, when the DFB Cup quarter-final between 1. FC Saarbrücken and Borussia Mönchengladbach, scheduled for 8:45 p.m., was canceled at short notice due to the unplayable field.

A large tarpaulin had originally been used to protect the pitch from the flood of water. However, by the time it was removed on Wednesday afternoon, the constant rain was no longer draining away on the pitch. Even the numerous helpers, who tried to clear the large puddles with leaf blowers, could not stop the water from flowing.

Referee Florian Badstübner decided at short notice not to blow the whistle for the game, and the decision was not announced until 8:38 p.m. The FCS apparently wanted to hold out for a long time to play the game, but the team from Mönchengladbach did not want to play with reference to the risk of injury.

FCS goalkeeper Tim Schreiber was annoyed and appealed to the city: “It’s just annoying. The city should now see that it’s not acceptable,” said the 21-year-old. He was also annoyed about “the costs that are now being incurred. Also for the Gladbach fans who came here.” The evening game under floodlights was completely sold out, with 15,800 fans making their way to the Ludwigspark despite the constant rain. The fan camps loudly expressed their displeasure after the cancellation. Many supporters also could not understand why a decision to cancel was only made so late.

Turf problem in Saarbrücken known

especially since the turf problem has been a tiresome issue for years. Last October, Saarbrücken’s third division game against Dynamo Dresden was abandoned at half-time because the pitch was flooded again. The second round cup game against FC Bayern three days later was threatened with cancellation due to the field conditions, but it ultimately took place. Saarbrücken sensationally defeated the German record champions and record cup winners 2-1.

The decision of the refereeing team to cancel Wednesday’s game against Gladbach was the right one, emphasized Schreiber: “It would not have been possible at all today. We’ll have to see when we can play.” It would also be better to keep a close eye on the weather forecast to avoid the threat of another cancellation debacle in Saarbrücken.